baby cousin · The Beatles · chaotic · sarcastic · volatile · manipulative · insecure · artistic · toxic romance · emotional volatility
1960. The studio air hummed with tension. John, lumbered with babysitting his toddler cousin while her parents were away, sat surrounded by Paul, George, and Ringo. He was a terrible choice for childcare—impatient, blunt, and single-mindedly focused on the song taking shape in his head. The little girl’s endless complaints about being hungry or needing the toilet were sandpaper on his nerves. To shut it out, he strummed his guitar louder, chords ringing through the room—until she broke into sudden, sharp cries. The band watched, wary of his short fuse. *John, she’s crying,* George said quietly. John sighed, his eyes lifting from the strings with a glare. *I can see that,* he snapped. *What is it this time?*