#if only my old laptop were still working ;-; I would’ve been able to screenshot everything

[smoreal]

There were a list of people in the credits that stated their part in the game was lore related?? Maybe we’ll be seeing that credit more often in upcoming games

[acrcsstheuniversee]

Good Enough For Me

Pairing: Paul McCartney circa 1962 x John Lennon circa 1978 (McLennon)

Rating: Mature, readers 18+

Chapter Warnings: Mentions of porn and sex work

Words in this chapter: 1800+

Author’s Note:

Here it is! Refer to my summary and introduction post if you haven’t done so for more disclaimers, visuals, tag list info, and more.

*Disclaimer: I do not own The Beatles. This is fiction and written for leisure. Aspects of the story will not be historically accurate and should not be taken extremely seriously.

Chapter 1

Already a month into the semester, Paul found himself struggling to keep up with his studies. He tried his best to focus on typing an essay on the history of guitars that’s due the next day by 10 a.m. but just couldn’t get himself to do it. Not like it was hard or anything; he just hated doing what he’s told, especially if it was something he didn’t care about. He just wanted to do music but having a degree is a necessity now.

He pressed the home button on his cracked phone screen to see that it was already midnight. He was only half way done with the assignment that could’ve taken him only 30 minutes if he wasn’t writing songs in between paragraphs.

It was all too much anyways. American universities have much more homework assignments than back in England. Times like these made him question whether or not going out of the country for school was worth it. There almost seemed like there were more cons than pros in his decision. He lacked resources, he didn’t have any friends or family here except his roommate/best friend George, he was poorer than ever, and must work and attend school part-time. If he stayed in Liverpool and just continued school locally, he probably would’ve earned his degree by now; but now he’s what Americans consider a “super senior” because he’s 21 years old with the amount of classes completed equivalent to a third year student. Despite the struggle, all of it was better than his father dictating his every move. 

He shut his laptop, giving up on the assignment and leaned back into his desk chair, rubbing his tired droopy eyes.

He had two classes and work tomorrow. The thought of them made him roll his eyes. Music history from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., a business class he couldn’t remember the name of from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and work right after at a restaurant nearby as a dishwasher, and occasionally performer if the artist they booked cancelled that night.

He yawned as he got up and slide into his bed. Before shutting his eyes, he turned his head and looked directly across the tiny dorm room to his right to see his childhood best friend and roommate, George Harrison sound asleep.

Paul really needs to take a note out of George’s book and sleep earlier. These late nights are just stressing him out more and more.

***

“Paul….. PAUL! Get up!”

Paul jolted up right when a sudden raised voice rang in his ear. His eyes met George’s signature judgemental look. One of his thick brows cocked and his lips curved awkwardly. He was already ready to go to class.

“Ah, what time is it?”

“9:30. I woke you up 30 minutes before hand because I just know you aren’t going to get up to the 9:45 alarm unless you expect to make it to your first class in 15 minutes,” George teased.

George is a pain in the ass and a know-it-all, but Paul loved him dearly. He comes off mean sometimes but Paul knows it’s just because he’s younger and feels the need to prove himself. Paul was used to it after all this time but sometimes, that boy needs to know when his criticisms cross the line. Despite being a dick sometimes, they’re both grateful to be going to the same college together. It was one in a million chances for George to land the same US college as Paul just a year after Paul’s acceptance.

“Okay, whatever. You have a point, I guess.” Paul groaned and rolled out of bed. 

“I know I do, ha. I’ll see you later.” George messed up his friend’s darkhair more than it already was, making Paul swat his hand away.

When George left, Paul finally got ready and headed off to class with his incomplete essay.

Everyone was already seated and the professor was setting up today’s powerpoint lecture when he finally arrived. Paul sat down in the back where he’s been since the beginning of the semester. It hasn’t been a problem until a girl started to sit near him everyday since last week. When group or partnered work was assigned, she would often ask him to join her. She was kind, but Paul knew she liked him. She couldn’t make it less obvious. They would make small talk here and there---just about classes and hobbies. She was also very good at piano just as Paul was, but not too good on guitar though she claims to be.

He felt her looking at him, making him turn his head to find out he was right. She just smiled and waved. Paul nodded and gave her a small smile in return, trying not to show too much emotion, afraid she would like that too much. She already had the wrong idea but he didn’t want to be mean about it. Paul was not interested in the slightest and, he was gay. Found that out in high school and hasn’t been too shy about it since then. 

When class ended, Paul left immediately to his second class to avoid conversation with anyone. This next one was business related which is something he also could care less about. He was a bit behind in this one too, but this time, he truly didn’t understand the material. He definitely needed a tutor soon.

Not much happened other than him writing mini poems all over his in-class assignment. He didn’t even bother erasing any of it before turning it in at the end of class.

Paul sighed as he made himself to his busboy job right off campus. Before stepping inside, he felt his phone vibrate. It was his dad. Ugh, he thought but answered.

“I’m about to go into work, Dad. What is it?”

“Well, hello to you too. I was just wondering how the first month in the states have been. I haven’t heard from you.”

“It’s fine.”

“Just fine? Have you got a chance to tour places? You should send me photos.”

“No and no. I don’t want you to be sending the pictures to your friends as if you helped me get here. I know you do that.”

Paul heard his father sigh.

“Just text me when you get home and tell George I said hi.”

“Okay, bye.” Paul said before hanging up and walking into his shift.

It seemed harsh but his dad was a selfish prick. He loves to be in control of everything. He was the reason Paul came to the states to study. All he wanted was to ride the wave of success his two sons have been achieving.

In all truthfulness, Paul stopped believing his dad’s bullshit after mom died about 6 years ago. His dad seemed to have lost his way but Paul couldn’t be around all the time if he had a dream to follow. It’s been rough without his mom around but Paul had to do what he was right for him, even if that meant getting away from his dad which is something even she would’ve supported.

He couldn’t stop thinking about how irritating school and his dad were during his shift. The rude coworkers and customers didn’t help his case at all. This wasn’t new though. Paul was used to working constantly in some shape or form. The only problem this time is that he needed more money now that he’s completely independent from his father.

“Hey, busboy!” his boss called out to the dishroom from the back office. Paul rolled his eyes and went to see what he wanted.

“Yes?”

“I have to cut your hours in half. Here is your new schedule. You’re off now, so don’t wash another dish.”

“In half?” Paul took the schedule and saw that his income now would not suffice his monthly tuition payments, let alone some money for necessities. “You’ve got to be shitting me. Why?”

“We can’t afford to pay you. I’m sorry, kid.” he said nonchalantly.

“Will I be able to perform sometimes still?”

“Ehh, sure.” he said as he continued his paperwork, not even looking at Paul.

Paul rolled his eyes again. Could his life get any more annoying? He let out a sigh and clocked out. Now what, he thought making his way home.

When he got home George was playing his computer games with his big headphones to fit on his large ears. The younger man didn’t even notice his friend come in until one side of his headphones was pulled and slapped against his head.

“Hey!” George readjusted himself then paused his game to face Paul with his eyebrows furrowed. “What?”

“My hours got slashed.”

“You’re joking.”

“Nope, hah.”

George frowned.

“Shit, I’m sorry. Are you going to find another job?” 

“Well, I’m going to have to because I will not be asking my dad for help.” Paul said as changed into his pajamas and hopped onto his bed.

George sighed. Paul just stared at his friend for a moment, not knowing what to say. This was bad news for both of them. George didn’t have the same financial issues as Paul did. He only had enough for himself. If George could help, he would---and Paul knew he would.

“I’ll think of something, George. Don’t worry.” Paul got under the covers and listened to his friend shut off his computer and lights before hopping into bed as well.

He stared at the ceiling and sighed, then began to think about all the ways he can make money quickly but none of it would be fast enough to pay his next tuition bill. He rubbed his eyes. It was beginning to stress him out the more he thought of it and he just wanted it to all stop for a second.

Ah fuck it, he thought before whipping out his phone and started to scroll through his favorite porn blog on Tumblr. What better way to forget about things than looking at some sexy pictures of guys?

Paul scrolled until he ran into a post that was by a male sex worker selling nude photos and thought hard to himself. It was a young guy about his age selling his photos for $25 a piece and a private snapchat story for $5 per friend request and $15 extra for screenshot privileges.

Paul bit his lip nervously. It’s been a couple years since he did sex work. All he did was some cam work, sold some nude photos, and made customized videos for people on the internet. He remembered enjoying it but there was always the parts he hated that made the job extremely draining like any other job.

He laid there staring at the screen. He must admit, it was tempting to dive in again but he was afraid what George would think.

“George… Maybe I should go back into sex work…” Paul said suddenly.

George didn’t reply. He just snored in in response. That bastard.

Paul sighed and continued to scroll through sex work blogs, inspired by the possibilities until he slowly drifted to sleep.

-

Tag list:

@nowandthenoldfriend

[canaryatlaw]

Okay, well today was exhausting and difficult but overall still good, somehow. Normal stuff, up at 8:45 for court, I was kind of miffed because I just had a short status date with only me and the judge and normally when I tell the coordinators that they’ll stick me at or towards the front of the line, but that didn’t happen today so I didn’t end up finishing until like 10, which wouldn’t have been too big of an issue except oh it’s Tuesday, which means it’s my clinic day. Joy. So I spent a while assigning cases and trying to get a handle on everything. This was of course the worst day, because I had two more court cases all in front of the same judge, at 11 and 3, so yeah, it’s a lot. I did know this in advance and considered asking to switch clinic days with my work day, but he was on the rotation this week to do Monday and then he’d have to do two days in a row, and I didn’t want him to feel like he needed to say yes because I was asking and stick him with two days in a row (which yes, I do with some frequency because we rotate mondays and I’m always up on tuesdays, but I’ve gotten used to it at this point, so it’s different). But I made it to the 11 am court date which of course involved more waiting. It was a case with one of our Spanish speaking clients, and generally when counsel and clients are waiting to go into the courtroom they’ll put them in the same breakout room, which just ends up being super awkward when I speak very little Spanish (basically what I can remember from four years of studying it in high school) so we just kind of wait there in awkward silence until we’re let in, so that’s always fun. Once we got into the courtroom it was clear there was a breakdown in communication, because someone covered my last court date for this case and the notes got lost somewhere along the way, so I’m expecting the other lawyer to have discovery requests but find out he doesn’t even have the paperwork....(which I mean he definitely could’ve asked the clerk for a copy of, but whatever) so I was like yeah I’ll send that to you and then hopefully we can figure things out there, so a fairly pointless court date, but oh well. I had a little bit of a break when I mostly worked on clinic stuff until I logged on for my motion hearing, which I was both excited and nervous about. Given everything and with them suspending hearings for so long, it’s been quite a while since I’ve actually had a contested argument, so I was looking forward to that, and of course ready to go for the jugular knowing what this asswipe has been doing to my client (who is so incredibly sweet), so I was plenty pumped up. Beginning was fine, started asking questions and was able to get the screenshots into evidence so that was a big relief. Once we finished the judge asked the dude if he wanted to cross examine the client, to which he said know which is good because I would’ve just objected every time I could (which is basically always when people don’t know the rules of evidence) until he got frustrated and gave up (it’s very effective). But he just comes with some bullshit evidence about how we can’t prove it was him and that he was getting stalked too so clearly it was this mysterious third party who knew all of their personal information that was targeting both of them....yeah that was a new one. The judge let me have a rebuttal afterwards and while I’m shredding his argument he tried to interrupt me and start talking and I was just like “I’m speaking now, don’t interrupt me” followed by the judge saying the same thing which made me happy a bit haha just getting to shut him down like that, and it happened another time too cuz this guy was just off his rocker. The judge took so long making her findings and I was nervous she was going to be like oh you should’ve sent out subpoenas to prove where they came from (social media subpoenas generally take at least 6 weeks to process), but thankfully she found my client’s testimony to be credible and extended the order for another two years, which is a big win. We did have two motions pending, the second being

called a petition for rule to show cause, and now that we’ve proved our side of things it’s now the dude’s burden to prove why he shouldn’t be held in contempt of court, so that will be fun, especially being that once the judge was clearly ruling for us the fucking guy left the zoom call like a fucking child and I had to hold back a laugh at just how ridiculous it all was. I have a follow up court date in the morning to get the new order entered and set the next court date, and we’ll see where we go from there. But yeah, I was really happy about this because it was a really big victory and I mean this poor girl’s life has been turned upside down by this asswipe and I want him to get all the potential consequences available, and we’re heading in the right direction at least. While I was in the hearing my boss who had been at the office today offered to drop off the Christmas presents two clients had sent me, which was very convenient because I was going to ask my work buddy when he’s in the office tomorrow if he could drop them off since we don’t live that far from each other, but this was just easier. So once the hearing ended and I debriefed with my client I went downstairs to pick those up, along with some office supplies she dropped off which were very helpful. There’s one big box and then two smaller presents (that were from the same people). I opened the big box first and when I was pulling it out I saw it said Steve Madden on the box and I was like whaaaaaaaaaatt??? So I pull it the rest of the way out and open it to find this super cute Steve Madden bag that definitely was expensive, so I was kind of surprised about that. The second presents, the first little box I open has a little charm in it with a card saying in memory of their son/brother whose death precipitated the events that the order came out of, and I just felt really touched that they’d think of me like that and share something so personal, it definitely meant a lot. The last one from the same people, I open to find 2 $100 gift cards, one of them for visa and the other American Express, one of them being target themed but you could spend it anywhere. So I was kind of blown away by all of these presents and just that they’d think of me like that. Both of the cases had required a good amount of night and weekend (and sometimes on vacation) work, so I definitely put a lot of effort into them, but like I said in the thank you emails I sent out, knowing I’m able to help someone out of a bad situation is absolutely the best part of my job, and that will always make me happy to help in whatever way I can. So that was a lot, but yeah. I had a good amount of work to finish and ended up working until about 7:30, after which I turned on Chicago Med. the laptop situation did not resolve overnight (as I expected) and I tried to restore it from a backup on an external hard drive but that failed so I tried the migration assistant thing again and apparently the issue was there was too much content on my old computer than space on my new one, so I went through a bunch of stuff and just deleted it until it would work, and I did get it to start working so I was very glad about that. Hopefully it’ll be done in the morning and we can go from there. Once I got that figured out I showered and started to get ready for bed, and now it’s like 1:45 am and I very much need to go to sleep, so I’ll be doing that now. Goodnight my friends. Sweet dreams.

[castawxayaway]

a different route

this certainly went off on one, somewhere I didn’t expect but it has been one of those days but hey, you ask and I write cause I love it :) 

thank you to the anon who requested dans girlfriend to be a famous journalist, I hope you enjoy. 

oh and remember that I am not writing anymore after this sunday until July, as studies come first. so if you’ve got an ask then unless you want to wait til july ask away! 

Collapsing into my chair I stare at the screen before opening a blank document. Picking up the hefty amount of papers I sort through them, finding the rough copy to base this article on. 

"Oh I've got those pictures," My office neighbour pipes up, a tired smile on her face. "check your emails."  Thanking her I opened them up, feeling my heart flutter as I admire him in yet another venue moving further and further away from me. 

It's weird to think how just over three years ago we were strangers, I was jotting notes in secret behind the small venue they were performing at. Every single one of them was a sweetheart, but he went the extra mile. He offered me his friend’s number who worked in publishing, and here I am today. One of the most rewound journalists within our company alone.

My boss told me I had a set piece to write, that it had the potential to be something great, or an utter disaster. He sent me on tour with my boyfriend. The idea was to get inside the touring lifestyle, the real truth rather than the fantasies that fans or the press create. Having never been on a bus for more than an hour at most, it was certainly a month I won’t forget. 

I jotted down too many notes to count on bits of paper, old programmes or unused posters. Now I sit here reminiscing it all, and trying my hardest to not check up on him via Will who is my reliant source whilst Dan is asleep on the bus. As I flick through the photos on my email I can’t help but feel my heart sink, the light in his eyes as he performs to the crowds and how I’d observe from backstage. How after the show he’d run down, still full of adrenaline and pick me up, spin me around and just laugh. 

We’d all go for drinks, enjoy ourselves as we discovered new places in new cities and countries we’d never considered exploring. I bonded with the guys on a new level and took behind the scene photos of how the tour happens and the experience as someone who is not a groupie but technically a groupie. 

Yet now I just stare at the blank document, unsure how to fathom a beginning. How can someone condense all of those memories and new found experiences into five thousand words or less? If you told me three years ago this is what I’d be doing I would’ve told you that I had a famous boyfriend or that pigs fly, funny how times change. 

Glancing around everyone keeps their heads down to themselves, typing away or wandering around with resources and materials for the website or magazines. Sighing I lent back and forth, focusing on the squeaking of the chair as I went. Usually inspiration struck at any point, and it was known. On tour I was just having a chat to Woody by a lake when I paused and didn’t even blink, he thought I was having a stroke but that was the first insight I had to my article and something to write about. 

I force my chair back, hearing the wheels scrape across the ground. Picking my laptop up along with my phone I wander by my bosses office, knocking and patiently waiting. “Hey Gary.” I call out as I peep my head through the door. A large smile plastered across his face as he motions for me to come inside. 

“If it isn’t my famous little journalist.” He exclaims as I sit down in front of him, his eyes struggling to focus between me and his laptop. “So what can I help you with?” Resting his head in his hands he stares at me, that admiration in his eyes. Who’d of thought the nervous girl who was too afraid to leave her desk to go to the bathroom would be on a friendly basis with the man behind the business. 

“I need to leave.” Not messing about I get straight to the point, usually at this point he’d lean back in his chair, not losing focus on my expression. “As in to get inspiration, you know how it is.” I shrug as he remains quiet, lifting his right eyebrow slightly he seems unconvinced. “What? It’s not like I’m off to go see Dan, we both know he is in America.” I can’t help but sigh when I think of it, how far away he is now. 

“Do you know what you need to do?” I stayed quiet, still unsure whether he was intending it to be rhetorical or not. Rolling his chair in he began to type into his computer, “You need to work from home. Get inspiration from what is around you, where you’re surrounded by memories and not bland confined spaces.” He holds his hands out to his sides, waiting for a response. 

“Sounds good to me.” Smiling we both stand up, he shakes my hand before dismissing me. 

“Oh and one more thing,” He chimes as I hold onto the door handle, turning slowly to face him. “you are the writer, not the one to be written about.” Turning the monitor he displays multiple pictures of me with the band, pictures I didn’t know existed. “You’re on the rise girl, be careful.” 

Closing the door behind me I pause, taking a deep breath before collecting my things. As I reach the lift I can hear laughter echo in the empty space, the time Dan insisted on visiting me at work, seeing how it all happens. He couldn’t stop trying to make me laugh as I wanted to focus, Gary made me conduct an interview meaning Dan got what he wanted in the end, to hear me laugh. 

Even now as I turn my head to see my reflection I can picture his sweet smile, the daft grin he’d sometimes wear when we were in the discomfort of the bunks on the bus- never able to sleep in one without risking the other's life throughout the night. Pulling my phone out of my pocket I immediately see a flash of messages, different social media handles displayed with all forms of jargon drawing me in. 

Shrugging it off I could feel a weight resting against my chest, the type that makes it difficult to breathe with ease. The doors open distracting me as I walk out and catch a cab back home, unable to ignore the weight on my chest as the driver exchanged few words with me. As he pulled up outside and I paid him I walked up the steps, finding each harder than the last as my phone began to burn in my pocket, leaving a scorch on my thigh. 

Once I stood in my doorway I threw my bags onto the sofa, kicked my shoes off and pulled my phone out. As I scrolled through I saw an assortment of worrying words, my heart beat rising and my jaw tightening. ‘crash, accident, death, dead, pain, love, lost, her, writer, musician, friends’ 

Words that blur together like my vision as I blink rapidly, unable to stop the drastic shaking of my hands as I dialed the number, the one I can rely on when Dan sleeps. Each ring feels too long, too drawn out for it to be okay, for everyone to be perfectly alright. It doesn’t matter what time in the night, unless they’re performing, maybe that’s it. They’re just performing. 

I continue to rationalise the thoughts as the ringing continues, eventually cutting itself off. “Will?” My voice trembles weakly, I hear a groan and too much noise behind him. “Will what’s happening? Is everyone alright? What is going on?” Too many questions fire out of my mouth before my brain can comprehend them. 

A long drawn out sigh follows on his end, he mutters my name with too much sorrow. With every blink a different memory flashes by, a screenshot in my mind of us on tour, seeing new sights and saying how we’d go back someday, someday. “Some idiot. Crashed into the bus.” He groans, barely a broken whisper down the eerily silent line. I hold my breath, not wanting to risk mishearing him. “Dan was asleep. We got off to just stretch out.” 

My body begins to shut down, the fear rising in my throat burning my insides. “Are you okay?” I blink rapidly, unsure how else to react. I can’t bring myself to ask the question, the one I am too afraid to face. 

Another mutter of my name, this time more sincere but still too much emotion. “We are fine, few cuts and bruises but Dan is-”

“And the bus can it be fixed or replaced? Oh all of your instruments must be wrecked.” Distracting my own thoughts and despite him being thousands of miles away I can sense him knowing, the look he is wearing with scrunched brows, hiding his gaze. 

“Please just, I need to tell you.” All emotion was gone from his voice. 

Staring straight ahead at the framed picture of the two of us a matter of months ago I stopped blinking, everything gone. “You don’t need to say what is already known.” I mutter before pulling the phone away from my ear, hanging up. 

Walking over to my laptop I open it up, forcefully wiping away tears as I continue to smile as I watch the videos, admire the photos of the past month. How can someone fathom five thousand words to describe the pain they feel knowing they can never see the only person they truly love again? They can’t, as not even a single word can justify that sort of pain.