George re-entered the safety of the studio, away from the now separating mob of fans that had been stalking him from outside just moments ago. 'It's true isn't it? I am just nobody.' He silenced them the first way he could think of, speaking his mind. 'Not sure what's so special about a man that writes songs or plays the guitar. I couldn't paint or cook for the life of me, well, maybe a sandwich or two, but that's different.'
He was interrupted from his thoughts as soon as he turned the corner and almost knocked into Ringo. "Oh, 'ello Georgie!" He greeted him merrily. "'Ey Ringo." George replied solemnly. He didn't have time to think more about Ringo now, the man had already filled his mind for the past couple of weeks. Something about him had just changed to George, and he was just trying to place what. He hadn't meant to stare, but he found himself being snapped back to reality yet again by Ringo. "George, you alright?" Now concern tinted his voice. George looked away from him quickly. "Yep, fine Ringo, I'm gonna go for a smoke, I'll see you later, kay?" The older man only nodded in reply, one eyebrow still raised. The two Beatles separated once again, heading opposite ways.
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In the next few days George had pushed away almost all thoughts of Ringo, however, the feeling of loneliness still breached his mind.

'He's a real Nowhere man,
Sitting in his nowhere land,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?'

He felt that song had a new meaning to it, maybe one even more relatable, or maybe he was just even more outcast from everyone else. /Great/. He sighed again, now messing with the strands of hair hanging in front of his face.
Heading to grab his keys, George took one last look at his home, well, his and Pattie's home. It still felt like a blur to him, he had been in a relationship with Pattie for a while, but the thought of marriage still hadn't quite sank in. He approached the street with a trudge and started his walk to the studio yet again, just like every day. Just like every day where he did his job, well it was his passion, wasn't it? Maybe it was, but now some days it just felt like a chore.
'Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,'
<><><><><>
Ringo noticed George staring at him much more during rehearsals now. At this point he could almost feel his gaze piercing through the shelter of his drum set. Although he never actually confronted George about it, always wanting instead to just get home to Mo or keep occupied on his drumming. Today Ringo decided he would catch up with George a bit, after all, they were supposed to be best mates. "George, wait up would ya?" He called out. "Yeah Rings?" George responded, absentmindedly packing up his guitar. 'Just playin' it off now, huh? Is this some sort of game?' "Just wondering if you wanted to head out, y'know, for coffee or somethin'. I feel like we need to catch up a bit."
George agreed with a nod, but stayed silent most of the walk there. "So George, how's Pattie doing?" Ringo questioned as they ordered drinks. "Well she's alright I suppose; nothing out of the ordinary.." Ringo hid a wince and attempted to push away the awkward comment by hitting up small talk. The waiter soon returned with their two coffees, (Ringo's with cream and sugar), and the two set off back to the studio.
A slight drizzle had begun to patter on the streets and rooftops as the two walked. "Hey Ringo." Ringo jumped slightly, George had been silent most of the way back, and the statement caught him off guard. "Y-yeah..?" He replied almost meekly, seemingly unnoticed by the younger man. "How do you feel, y'know, about.. queers.." Ringo felt his cheeks flush as he looked away, contemplating an answer. Why the heck would George ask that?! Was this about Brian? But he had been dead for 8 months.. "Not sure, it's their decision, yeah? Why do you ask?" Ringo still avoided eye contact, how awkward could one walk get? "No reason, just wondered, y' know." Ringo nodded absentmindedly and flashed George a small smile, he held out a ciggie for George but he didn't seem to acknowledge it. The two neared the studio once again and packed away their instruments, mumbled goodbyes, and made their way into the dreary London rain.
<><><><>
Ringo had now started to look back at George when he found himself glancing at the drummer, so he forced that habit to come to a stop. It was hard, though. How hadn't he noticed before the deepness of the older man's bright blue eyes, or the shimmer in them as he played his drums? But something else crossed George's mind... if Ringo had noticed him staring, had he also noticed his new... feelings towards him? He was just so currently lost. George cursed to himself under his breath, he had been acting so strange around Ringo lately, how couldn't he have noticed? I mean, who in hell asks their best friend how they feel about queers?!
This time it was not Ringo who snapped him back to reality, it was John. "Ey' George, next time you go to cloud 9, try not to do it in a recording, eh?" 'Shoot, how long have I been thinking..' "Y'know what? Don't worry about it, we're all tired and I just wanna go home, let's just wrap this recording up." George couldn't tell if he was being sympathetic, or was just too annoyed to care, so he only nodded in return. 'Of course, now I'm just holding everyone back.'
They quickly finished the recording and George packed his guitar, he had to, he needed to talk to Ringo. He couldn't keep this up any longer. He propped his heels up and down as he waited behind the drummer's kit, gazing at the walls. Ringo merrily shoved his drumsticks in his pockets, humming a toon. He always seemed to be in the best mood out of all of them these days. He stepped out from the drum set and nearly bumped into George yet again, who was now involuntarily blushing. "Ey', sorry Georgie, didn't see ya there. Y'know, this just seems to keep happening, doesn't it?" He chuckled. George responded with another weak laugh. "L-listen, Ring-", Ringo cut him off yet again, clearly forgetting about many of the confusing incidents before this one. "Sorry George, can we talk tomorrow? I promised Maureen and Zackie I would help out with dinner today." And before George could think to reply, he found himself nodding once again, and Ringo was already out the door. He put on his coat and picked up his guitar, heading outside, most likely far behind Ringo.
The chilling November wind swept through his hair as he walked the familiar path back to his home. George didn't feel like whistling, or walking to the catchy beat of a song today, in fact, he hadn't felt like doing anything remotely uplifting in weeks, so he just walked in silence. When he finally approached the tranquil white door to his house, he noticed that plastered on it was a note. He carefully picked up the note and read it;
'Hey George, meet me at the cafe by the studio tomorrow during our break,
I have a feeling we should probably...
Discuss... some things. -Ringo'
Of course, he thought. At first, he was baffled at how Ringo could have made it to the house before him, but then he pushed the thought aside, and couldn't help but chuckle. However, on the inside these feelings and questions were clawing at his stomach. Now what was he going to do?! Then, he realized he could only do one thing, if this was going to be over at last.
<><><><>
The first hours at the studio seemed to drag on and on, almost painfully. It didn't help that George was confusing him again, with his intent staring. It was all fine to Ringo though, he just needed to speak with George, then this would all be resolved, right? Finally, the rehearsal wrapped up and they were free to do as they pleased on break. Ringo didn't hesitate, he quickly stashed away his drumsticks and headed over to George. They were both silent as they headed out the door of Abbey Road Studios and down the street to the Cafe.
The two found an empty booth and sat down, followed by the glares of a few other customers, which only ended up lasting a short time. The waiter approached and greeted them, and Ringo quickly joked with him before they ordered their food, not always earning a response from George.
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George gulped, hoping Ringo didn't notice, but the older man seemed to be lost in thought as well. "So.." He tried. George only looked at him in return, he couldn't bring himself to force even a small laugh, let alone smile. Thoughts still raced in his mind, of him and the drummer, how he would tell him, would he tell him? "George.. I think we both know why we're talking right now." He sounded like a father scolding a child, in a way. Drizzles were coming down now, the waiter soon returned bringing their orders, George only gave him a look whilst Ringo nodded in thanks.
He finally did it, finally brought himself to say something after all this time, he wanted to laugh instead, no, maybe cry, or just fall asleep, he was always tired lately, but it was too late for that now. "Ringo," He started. "George-", But George cut him off. "No, I need to tell you this." George sighed, here it goes. "Ringo ever since it's been us four as a group; it's always been the two of us with each-other. While John and Paul were busy being them, we were together, laughing or playing marbles or just trying to entertain ourselves. Now we're not as young but we've still been together all this time, you and I." He took a break, not looking away from the Drummer's Eyes, his big blue eyes. "Now.. I'm not asking you to change any thoughts on anyone, like Mo.. or even feel the same way.. but Ringo.." There was a short moment of silence. "I think.. I love you." He exhaled sharply, now their friendship was surely over.
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He was speechless, this entire conversation he was speechless. Why wouldn't he tell him this before? "George- why.. didn't you tell me this before?" His voice was tinged with sentiment and confusion. "Because.." George replied steadily but quietly. "I only just discovered it now.." And with that he got up and exited the small shop. Ringo shuffled to set money out on the table to pay the bill, then quickly sat up and chased out the door for George. He walked only a few steps away from the building when he noticed the guitarist standing out in the pouring rain, which had started up again during their "conversation", body shaking with quiet sobs. Ringo ran over to him, ready to push away all emotions to comfort him. "R-Ringo," he sputtered out. "Please t-tell me this won't ruin our friendship.." Ringo was shocked at George's words, how could he think this would ruin their friendship? After all they'd been through? "Shhhh, George. Of course it won't. You've got me forever." "B-but Ringo.." He started again. "Let's just walk back to the studio, shall we? We're gettin' soaked out here!" And both walked back to the studio, still holding on to each other like they were a lifeline. And both feeling relief flood over their systems.
'Isn't he a bit like you and me?...'