#poly!beatles

1 - McStarr

2 - LennStarr

3 - McLennison

4 - McLennon

5 - McHarrison

6 - McLennStarr

7 - Lennison

8 - Starrison

9 - Poly Beatles

10 - McStarrison

11 - LennStarrison

Paul is in the middle of composing what he thinks might be a masterpiece, so he’s very tempted to mumble not now, George when his youngest boyfriend takes a seat at the piano next to him and leans his head on Paul’s shoulder with a heavy sigh.

But George’s hair smells good and Paul is a weak man, and the melody immediately disappears from his head anyway.

“Are you writing a love song about me?” George teases, gripping Paul’s arm.

“One verse was about you,” Paul replies truthfully, giving in to the cuddle. “But you’ve made me forget it now.”

George doesn’t seem to care, and neither does Paul.

After ten minutes with George in his arms he’ll be able to write an even better love song than the one he’s forgotten.

*****

Ringo has never been in a relationship with someone who likes to cuddle so much. He’s only ever really associated physical intimacy with sex, even with John and Paul, but with George it’s very different.

When George plonks himself down on the sofa next to Ringo and wraps an arm around the smaller man, Ringo knows that this isn’t going to end in sex. That isn’t what this is about. If anyone else did this to him, it would be a come on, but not when it’s George.

George just wants to touch and hold.

He just wants to run his fingers through Ringo’s hair, and feel the heat of his body, and be close to him. There’s no other expectation behind it other than to be with him.

And that’s why George is Ringo’s favourite.

*****

It isn’t often that a journalist manages to get the best of John. He’s witty enough that he can deflect or make a joke of the most probing or inappropriate questions, but today he’s just not in the mood.

He’s not at his best, and as a result he lets a journalist make a fool of him, right in front of a packed press room and (more importantly) the lads.

John wants to punch a wall afterwards, but the thing that stops him is George pressing himself against him and wrapping his arms around John’s neck.

He doesn’t say anything and he doesn’t have to. George says everything through his touch.

He makes John feel like he’s not an idiot, not a failure.

I know I'll never know exactly what you're going through, anon, but I live far away from my family too. Especially with the current state of the world, some days are really hard. If you're ever having a hard time, you can always send me a message, or request another fic if fics help you. (That goes for everyone, not just this anon.) Life sucks, but we can navigate through the suckiness together and hopefully have some fun along the way <3

AO3 Link (Rating: G)

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“He’s still in bed?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s the middle of the afternoon.”

Paul hugged the blankets tighter as he tried to tune out his boyfriends’ concerned whispers from the hallway. It wasn’t like they were saying anything he didn’t already know. He knew he should be out of bed by now. He just couldn’t do it.

John never thought he’d ever get tired of having sex.

But after a four hour sex marathon, he has to admit he’s lost his stamina.

He glances at Paul and Ringo, who are cuddled up on the other side of the bed and snoring softly. Lucky bastards.

“Baby,” John says tiredly. “Why don’t you slow down-“

But George is oblivious, lost in his own pleasure. John has no idea where he gets his fucking energy from.

John is slumped against the headboard, exhausted, while George grips his shoulders and bounces up and down enthusiastically in his lap.

“Baby. I’m sorry but I need to stop.”

Thankfully George does stop, his chest heaving, and he brushes their lips together before climbing off John’s dick.

“God, I’m sorry, John. I don’t know why I’m so randy tonight.”

John manages to get George to settle down with a handjob, but even when they cuddle up to go to sleep the younger man seems restless.

Until now.

And it fucking hurts.

“I don’t understand,” Ringo says in a slightly shaky voice, blue eyes shining. “Is it...is this not working for you? We can talk about it, we can work it out-“

It’s the first time Paul has ever heard Ringo sound desperate, and he can’t even look at him.

“It’s nothing you’ve done,” John says, and he sounds utterly defeated. “And we haven’t stopped loving you.”

George has so far been sitting quietly, but it’s clear he already knows what’s going on. He’s always been more perceptive than any of them have given him credit for.

“This was Brian’s idea, wasn’t it?” George is clearly trying contain his fury. “Because Paul’s pregnant.”

Ringo looks confused for a moment, but then he slowly pieces it together.

It’s only going to be a matter of time before it becomes public knowledge that Paul is pregnant, and there are going to be questions about who the father is. They can’t carry on like this. Not if they want to keep being the Beatles.

“So, what,” Ringo says. “The two of you are gonna get married and raise the baby together? And me and George are just out of the picture?”

“We’re doing this to protect you,” Paul explains, but he knows that will be impossible for them to see.

“Do what you want,” George says, searching his pockets for a cigarette as he stands. “You marry John and have your baby, and I’ll marry Ringo and we’ll just pretend this wasn’t even a thing and the four of us meant nothing to each other-“

“George-“

“Ritchie was always my favourite anyway.” George gives Ringo a kiss to make his point before storming out.

Ringo wipes away a tear, and Paul’s heart breaks.

“Good luck to you both then,” Ringo says as he stands to follow George, and there’s nothing but love and sincerity in his voice.

Now that they’ve all moved from a flat to a house, George is able to be a lot more strategic with where he places the mistletoe.

He knows it was getting predictable back at the flat. There were only so many places he could hide the mistletoe. The others were quickly learning the areas to avoid.

But in the house, George knows it will be much easier to surprise them.

He manages to catch Paul within a matter of hours. George grins as he corners Paul on the stairs, pointing to the mistletoe above before stealing his kiss, although Paul doesn’t seem reluctant.

John is also easy prey. He gets caught out in one of the little nooks where they store some of their records, and although he rolls his eyes at George at first, the two of them end up spending a good twenty minutes there and do a lot more than kissing.

Ringo is the more tricky one.

He seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to mistletoe, and skilfully doges George’s advances at every turn.

It takes George nearly a week to catch Ringo. And he ends up catching his oldest boyfriend out in one of the most obvious places.

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Ringo sighs as he takes a seat at his drum kit, looking up to see the mistletoe dangling above him.

Ringo has met John a couple of times before.

From their brief interactions, Ringo had always liked John. He can understand why John is such a popular king and why so many others, including Ringo’s own husband, see him as a threat.

But right now John doesn’t strike Ringo as the charismatic leader so many love. He sits slumped next to Ringo in the carriage taking them both back to John’s kingdom, covered in blood and looking far too tired and far too young in his heavy armour.

Ringo clears his throat. “Are you alright, your Majesty?”

John turns to look at him, and he gives a tired smile. “Call me John, please. As we’re about to be married. Yeah, I’m okay. I just...I’m really sorry I had to do that. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I’m sorry I’ve ruined your life.”

Ringo can’t keep the shock from his face. That’s not what he was expecting to hear at all. He knows John didn’t make the first move in this war and he was only defending his own kingdom, but he hadn’t expected John to be quite so apologetic.

“My husband was not a good man,” Ringo says softly. “And he was not a good king. You’ve done me and my people a favour today. You did what you had to do.”

Ringo dares to cover John’s hand with his own, and he smiles when John squeezes him gently.

“I’m sorry,” John says. “I thought you loved him.”

Ringo doesn’t tell John how it was quite the opposite. He doesn’t tell John that he was once just Adrian’s favourite bed-slave, and the king took such a liking to him that he ended up as queen. He doesn’t tell John that the only man he ever loved was executed by his husband and his severed head was placed on the castle wall for Ringo to see every single day.

Instead Ringo holds his new husband’s hand and prays that this marriage will be better than his last.

*****

When they arrive at the castle in the centre of John’s kingdom, John is immediately hurried away to the medical quarters, while Ringo is met by John’s most trusted advisor.

His name is Brian, and he looks a few years older than Ringo, but he’s very handsome and has a kind smile.

“Welcome, your highness,” he says softly, giving a low bow. “We’re pleased to have you here. I know you’ve been through a lot today, so I’m sure you’re keen to get some rest. I also just wanted to offer you my condolences-“

“It’s alright,” Ringo cuts in. “Thanks, Brian. I...I’m just really tired.”

“Of course, your highness. I’ll arrange to give you a full tour of the palace tomorrow before your wedding. There is just one thing though before I show you to your chambers for the night.”

“Oh?”

“The Queen would like to meet you.”

Ringo freezes. He’d forgotten about this part.

Tomorrow he will become a Queen of this kingdom too when he marries John, but at the moment there is only one Queen.

Ringo has also met Queen George a few times, but they’ve never properly spoken to each other. He knows that George is very popular with his people though, just like John, and he is much loved by his king.

And now Ringo is about to come crashing into this loving marriage and potentially ruffle some feathers.

Brian leads Ringo up to the Queen’s chambers, which is where Ringo will live once he’s married John tomorrow. George is already waiting for them, and he stands from his seat at the dressing table when Brian bows to him and introduces Ringo.

George is just as beautiful as Ringo remembers. He’s probably a few years younger than Ringo, not older than twenty, and he’s tall and slim with sharp cheekbones and pretty brown eyes. There is a veil covering his face which he lifts so they can see him better, and it’s then that Ringo understands why his husband wanted to wage war on John’s kingdom.

Adrian wanted George as his prize, and it’s clear to see why.

Ringo bows his head. “Your highness.”

“Actually, your highnesses,” Brian interjects smoothly, “forgive me, but in the current circumstance his highness Queen Ringo outranks his highness Queen George.”

Ringo can feel the tension thick in the air as George frowns. He knows there are protocols to be followed but he really doesn’t want to upset anyone on his first night here. Especially John’s first husband.

“He’s not married to John yet,” George says curtly. “And even when he is, I outrank him because I’ve been married to John longer.”

Ringo wishes the floor would swallow him up.

“Not quite, your highness,” Brian says, as if he’s an older brother patiently explaining something to a younger sibling. “You will outrank Ringo when you are accompanied by your husband. When the king is not present, however, Ringo will outrank you as the older Queen.”

George does not look pleased with that answer.

“Well he is not a Queen of this kingdom yet, so I won’t bow to him. Leave us, please. Thanks, Brian.”

Brian bows to them both and gives Ringo a reassuring look as he backs out of the room.

Even though George is younger and most likely a less experienced Queen than Ringo, Ringo can’t help but feel intimidated as George walks towards him, his robes sweeping behind him.

“I’m sorry about what happened to you,” George says, his voice softer now. “I really am. I’m sorry you’ve lost your husband and your home.”

He reaches out to take Ringo’s hand in his own.

“And I’m sorry I was a bit short just now. It’s just...I know this seems stupid, but it’s hard for me too. I am the Queen of this kingdom. John is my husband. And now I’m being asked to let a stranger in and...well. I haven’t had much time to prepare myself.”

“I understand,” Ringo replies. “I don’t want to usurp your position. You’re loved so much by your people and I hope me being here won’t change that. And I definitely don’t want to get in the way of you and John. As far I’m concerned, this marriage is just ceremonial. John is marrying me because he has to. I’m his prize. You’re his love.”

George seems satisfied with that answer, and his smile seems much warmer now.

“I still want to make you feel welcome here though. I know this is difficult for you and I don’t want my own selfish feelings to get in the way. We’re gonna have to learn to live with each other, after all.”

Ringo breathes a sigh of relief. All he needs is to keep things amicable with George.

“Now,” George continues, squeezing Ringo’s hand. “I know you’ve had a long day and need some rest, but first thing’s first. Do you have anything to wear for the wedding tomorrow?”

“I...er. I wasn’t allowed to bring any clothes with me. Only a few sentimental possessions.”

“Okay. Well that’s not a problem. Now it’s too short notice to get anything custom made for you, but I have some robes that might look nice on you, things I haven’t worn in ages. You can pick something you like, and we can have them altered to fit you, as you’re shorter than me and your hips are a bit wider than mine. I have some underwear that might be alright for you too. And then just let me know what kind of jewellery you like; I can loan you a circlet and some of my other pieces until John gifts you your own-“

Ringo wants to give George a hug. He knows George doesn’t need to show him this kindness, and he knows how difficult it must be for George. But he’s grateful for the effort the younger man is putting him in for him.

Maybe this won’t be completely disastrous.