Time: about 2 pm, three weeks later
Place: Murdoc - Just entering the Winnie 2D - somewhere inside the Winnie
Murdoc Niccals-Tusspot was quite a sight. A large yellow envelope tucked in one hand, the other holding his cell phone to his ear. His normal attire was discarded in favor of a simple pair of grey sweatpants and nothing more. He tucked the yellow envelope under his arm, closed the door of the Winnie behind him, and sitting at the table, holding the phone with his shoulder so he could unlatch the envelope. "No," he spoke into the phone, "the name 'as been decided. No, I jus' got it. Okay. Okay. Luv yew, too, Susan. A'righ'. G'bye."
2D's head popped out of Murdoc's bedroom; hair a ruffled mess, eyes bright and a smile on his face as he quickly trotted out to greet the love of his life. "'ey Muds~" He sang, leaning forward over the edge of the table and pecking his lips.
"G'Mornin', luv," he replied, perking up as he saw the singer. He smiled at the kiss, ruffling the singer's hair and kicking out the next seat as an invitation to sit with him. "Thought yew'd nevah get up, what wit' the night we 'ad," he teased, referring to their little 'pre-marriage date' the night before.
The singer giggled, ignoring the offered seat and nestling comfortably in Murdoc's lap. "Yeah, wos a 'ell ovva noight. Loved it, though." He draped a willowy limb around Murdoc's shoulders, his gaze falling to the envelope. "Wot's dat?"
In the three weeks since Stu's revival, Murdoc had searched adoption agencies frantically for all girls by the first name Elizabeth available, of all ages, races, religions, and nationality. He was sparing no girl the chance to be 'The Elizabeth' for their new perfect family. He'd finally given up after the thirteenth agency to turn him away because of his sexuality, and had begged Susan to look into it, offering payment in return for the information she could gather from the agencies that had rejected him. What lied in the envelope was the fruits of her labor. "The girls," Murdoc whispered eagerly, slipping a thick stack of papers from their covering and looking the first stapled set of sheets over. Paper-clipped to it was a small photo of the girl, one Elizabeth Browning, apparently aged 15 years judging by her graph of information. Murdoc handed it over, looking onto the next.
"Oh, awright." 2D nodded, nuzzling against Murdoc's chest while looking through the papers. He was hoping he'd know the girl when he saw her -much like he'd known Murdoc would be the man to capture his heart the second they met- and if his hunch was right, this certainly wasn't her. Nor was the next, or the one after that. It was disheartening to have been through so many girls and still not having found one.
Murdoc began biting the corner of his upper lip in worry. They were halfway through the stack already, and the look of worry on 2D's face was beginning to make him upset. He handed 2D another, reached down for the next...and stopped before his hand could touch it. There she was. Elizabeth Daniel Befford. Aged 9 glorious years. From Toronto, Canada. "Stuart, luv," Murdoc called weakly...
"Hm..?" 2D replied meekly, his gaze not lifting from the photo in his hand. He was growing steadily more anxious, fearing that if they couldn't find their little girl the reaper would be back for him and, in turn, Murdoc.
Murdoc plucked the paper...the last paper...off the table and threaded it into 2D's spindly hands in awe. "I's 'er, luv."
Dark eyes widened as they grazed over the paper, quickly turning up to Murdoc as a huge smile spread over Stu's face. "Oh mah goodness, Muds! T'is!" He agreed excitedly, thin arms wrapping tightly around the bassist and holding him tightly.
Murdoc giggled happily, holding 2D tight against him. They found her... He took the paper back, looking again at the picture. She seemed as happy as a child forced to sit through a photoshoot could be. Her smile was mild and slightly forced, but otherwise showed no kind of trauma. "Elizabeth D. Befford, nine, from Toronto...Canada. Tha's a bit of a flight... Abusive father, deceased mother. She's been in the records since she was five." A bright blush colored his cheeks as he turned to peer up at his love. "We found 'er, Stu."
2D pressed a few excited kisses on Murdoc's lips, having nearly lost hope. "Dis is jus' so.. so.." He couldn't even think of a word for it. Perfect would have been the understatement of the century. The rush of emotions brought a few tears to the lad's dark eyes, only making him nuzzle closer to Murdoc in hopes of curing them.
Murdoc laid the papers gently on the table, using both hands to hold 2D close to him, turning him around and placing his legs on either side of Murdoc's. His hands moved automatically over the singer's spine, soothing his tears. "Shhh, luv...hush, i's a'righ'..."
"S-sowwy.." He apologized softly, hiding his teary eyes in Murdoc's neck. "Yewr jus' so.. i's all jus'... jus' so amazin', y'know? Jus' lookin' ovah evewyfing da's 'appened 'n evewyfing da's gunna 'appen.." 2D's high-pitched voice trailed off as he let his arms rest around Murdoc's middle. "Fank yew, Mu'doc.. wrilly, fanks fo' evewyfing."
"Aw, come on now, luv..." he whispered soothingly, smiling a bit in the face of 2D's emotional moment. "We still gotta get through this weddin'." He pushed 2D back a bit, tipping his face up and kissing each tear he counted on those pale cheeks. "I can't 'ave a teary bride, yeh? Jus' ain't right, yew know?" He chuckled a bit, rubbing noses with his love.
2D managed a soft gap-toothed smile, resting his forehead against Murdoc's. "Yeh, ah 'ear yeh. Guess s'not dat much longah till tha weddin' yeh?" His demeanor brightened, the excitement returning to his features with a lacing of loving adoration. He rubbed away the last of his tears, saying, "con' wait!"
"Jus' a couple hours from now, we'll be on tha' plane to Jamaica. Two days after tha'..." he placed a long loving kiss on 2D's lips, tongue delving deep for a single second before he ended it, hands on either side of the singers face, foreheads touching, bliss lying on every part of his face. "...yer finally mine."
Stu had a dreamy sort of half-lidded gaze from the short yet passionate kiss, smiling at Murdoc and saying, "y'know ah've always been yewrs, Muds. S'jus' gunna be legal, yeh?" He giggled a bit, brushing a few fingers past Murdoc's cheek to move his fringe behind one ear.
"Yer righ'. Piece of papah, bu' it makes all the difference legally, eh?" Murdoc flipped a hand nonchalantly, shrugging. He giggled softly at the hands in his hair, enjoying the touch like a dog would enjoy its ear scratched. "Yew all packed, yeh?"
"Yup~!" 2D chimed, sitting back a bit with his hands resting on Murdoc's shoulders and his ankles loosly crossed around him. "'ow bout yew?" His dark eyes practically beamed with all the glee and excitement welling up inside of him- making his stomach flip and his heart swell.
"Yew kiddin'? Noodle 'ad me packed las' week!" He chuckled softly, looking back at that little photo on the table. They were almost there.
The singer chuckled, though his sweet chime was cut off by a growl of his stomach- which made him laugh more. "'aven' eaten yet, yeh? Wonta come up to tha shtudio kitchen wif meh?" He offered, slipping back off of Murdoc's lap and carefully manuvering himself back onto his feet.
"A'righ'," he muttered, feeling a bit peckish himself. He followed his lover out of the Winnie, resisting the urge to go back and grab The Elizabeth's paper off the table to show her to the rest of the band. But it was still a secret. They'd know in time. After the wedding...
By the time they reached the kitchen Stu had his fingers tangled lovingly with Murdoc's and a gentle song playing across his lips. "So wotcha want~?" He cooed, skipping over to the cabinets and starting to rummage around for something edible.
Murdoc rummaged through the fridge, prodding aside some rather questionable looking fruits. "Somethin' tha' won't 'ave me dyin' by the time we get to the islands..."
"Ooh.. good luck wif dat one, mate." 2D called over his shoulder teasingly, frowning a bit when he couldn't seem to track down anything that didn't look potentially lethal. "Er.. ah dun' fink we wrilly got anyfing. Might 'aveta go shoppin' o' sumfink."
Murdoc scowled. "Yah think maybe we could go out tah eat? I'd hate tah buy a lo' jus' tah 'ave it spoil while we're away...Maybe get Noodle tah find us somewhere nice tah 'ave a sit-down meal..." Murdoc straightened, dragging the rubbish bin over and sweeping what little was in the fridge out and into the garbage. "Gotta clean all this ou' anyways, if we're gonna get yew-know-'hoo."
"Twue~" The singer said with a nod, bangs pushed behind his ear. "So does dis mean yewr gunna take meh ou' ona date?" 2D asked with a smile directed at the bassist. "Ah took yew ou' last time, aftah all."
"Well, since yew were so kind to pay las' time, I'm sure I can take yew this time..." he drawled, teasing with a bored expression. "If I 'ave to, I mean. Yew can be so needy~ sometimes, I sweah."
"Oh, oh foin. If da's 'ow yew feel!" 2D turned away over dramatically, a hand flung over his forehead. "Den ah guess ah'll jus' stay 'ome an' save yew tha money an' time yew woulda been fo'ced t'spend on meh!" He let out a deep sigh, emphasizing it and trying not to crack up.
Murdoc stifled a giggle in his fist and coughed softly. "Yew know whut? Tha' sounds luvly! Jus' stay 'ere with tha' time and tha' money and lay on yer skinny arse all day in the Winnie and look sexy, dammit~!" He shouted, letting slip a few giggles at the end.
The singer blushed and couldn't stop himself from laughing. "Woll 'f 'm goin' ta spend all mah time in de'e den ah'll sta've! Bu' nooo, somebody won' spa'e a few dollahs t'feed meh!" He put his hands on his hips, still facing away from Murdoc to keep his expression of giddyness hidden.
Murdoc crossed his arms in return, a bright smile on his face. "Won't take long, yah stick man~!"
"Oh, oh ah feelin' sa faint! 'm sta'vin' he'e!" He stumbled back playfully, a hand cast back over his forehead and the other flailing to keep him from falling. "Oh, ah dunno if ah c'n make i'! Wotevah will ah do~?" 2D asked, staggering backward a bit farther, shakily approaching his lover.
Murdoc laughed loudly, catching his rather light lover in his arms with a warm smile and a loving kiss. "Yew can live on kisses, righ'? I need yew to stay 'live if we're gonna pu' on this weddin'~!" He giggled, rubbing noses with the singer in a display of affection.
He smiled, his voice more flirtatious, "woll a'cou'se ah c'n! But ah'll need a lotta dem, y'know~" As if to prove his point he stole a kiss, and ruffled Murdoc's dark hair.
Murdoc laid a quick series of kisses over his lover's face, amused. "Needy, see~?" He chuckled to himself, letting 2D back on his feet. "If we're goin' on this date, yew need more than my shirt an' boxahs." He glanced down at his well-worn The Clash shirt that hung loose on 2D's slight frame with a bit of pride. "Not my rules. 'Ell, if it were up tah me, yew'd be naked, but apparently tha' is frowned upon." Laughing, he kissed his love softly, making up for it with a teasing pinch on the singer's bum.
2D giggled, pulling back a bit from Murdoc's lips to whisper, "y'know 'm only needy cos ah need yew, Muds." With that and another peck, 2D turned and skipped off to get dressed. He hesitated taking off his lover's shirt, loving the scent, size, owner…with a slight grin he pulled on some worn jeans beneath it, brushed a comb through his messy hair, grabbed his shoes and happily made his way back out to the car park.
Murdoc silently made his way to Noodle's room, where he was sure the guitarist was practically buzzing with anticipation for the flight to come. He made quick work of dispatching their plans and reassuring her of the time the flight left. They'd have plenty of time...He made his way to the ground floor, headed to the carpark.
2D was sitting against the wall beside his door, singing different pitches and listening to the echoes it produced. He could stop and giggle, then try a different tune. His voice was full of emotions as he sang, as it was his way of putting them all on display.
Murdoc tugged the heavy door open, instantly met with the heavenly sound of Stuart's voice. He chuckled softly, watching his husband...his fiancée...as he walked to the Winnie, making the journey as slow as possible so he could enjoy the sounds.
2D nestled down further into the shirt, eyes closed with bliss as he sang; completely unaware of his lover's presence. There was a heartfelt love song playing across his lips, obvious directed at Murdoc regardless of whether he was in the room or not. Even when he wasn't around, he still dominated any and everything going through the singer's mind and heart.
Murdoc got to the Winnie door, reluctant to go inside with all the beauty that was being displayed out here. "Luv," he called, opening the door as he spoke.
Stu squeaked, dark eyes flashing open and landing on Murdoc. The lad let out a relieved sigh, grabbing his heart. "Oi, dun' sca'e me loik dat, Muds!" He called back, pushing himself to his feet and crossing the distance in a few long-legged strides.
Murdoc chuckled to himself, arms looping around 2D's neck. "I's all arranged. Lunch fer four at a place of yer choosing." He smiled widely, tongue flicking out to lick the very tip of the singer's nose.
2D smiled, leaning up on his toes and kissing Murdoc surprisingly deeply. "Hm.. ah dunno. Whe'e d'yew all wonta ea'? 'm kinda in tha mood fo'.. metle' cheese.." He said in a slow, thoughtful way, giving Murdoc a look that he hoped to earn a chuckle for.
2D got his wish with extra as Murdoc kissed him deeply. "Well, I dunno whut yer thinkin', but I ain't coverin' myself in cheddah jus' tah get a rise outta yew..." He pulled 2D inside the Winnie with a loud bout of laughter. "Pizza, then?"
2D giggled with a blush, not having been getting at that. "Aw, c'mon, whe'es yewr sense o' adventu'e, Muds~?" He asked, pulling Murdoc to him and leaning against his chest with a puppy dog expression. It flickered away for a moment while he answered, "oh, 'n su'e~"
The bassist nuzzled against his lover's hair, whispering gently. "Luv, the adventure's jus' begun...startin' wit' yew walkin' down tha' aisle..." Murdoc sighed deeply, happy and content.
"Con' wai'~!" He murmured, thin arms wrapping around Murdoc in a tight, loving embrace. "Ah love yew, Mu'doc," he practically sang against the older's neck, placing a kiss on it.
"I luv yew so much more..." Murdoc pulled 2D along to the bedroom, sitting him on the bed as the bassist began to change, riffling through the closet for a shirt. "Yew excited, then?"
"Oh no, no' at all." The boy tried to flaten his voice but it bubbled with giddy excitment regardless. "S'loik firty diffewent dweams come twue, y'know? Loik i' jus' keeps gettin' bettah an' bettah~!" He giggled, subconciusly picking at a few strands of thread sticking up from a tear across one thigh of his jeans.
Murdoc pulled down two different hangers and flung them beside the singer, stepping out of his sweatpants and opening a small set of drawers to find a clean pair of boxers. Going about nude was nothing for him anymore, as simple as walking about in casual clothes, though a few months ago (before 2D) he'd have done it to grab all the ladies attention. He felt natural in his skin with 2D, not as if he had to show it off to grab a lay for the night. "Only fifty? I'd expect yer whole life to be complete now tha' yer hitchin' me."
"Woll ah fought fo'ty nine mo'e den othah people would say would be wo'th i', y'know." He said with a chuckle, slapping the waistband of the boxers Murdoc had pulled on flirtatiously. "Bu' yeah, da's abou' wroight. M'loif is 'mazin' cosa yew~"
Murdoc turned, chuckling to himself. "Yew may 'ave fourty nine more dreams than othah people, bu' I'm gonna make 'em a reality, luv." He placed a hand on either side of 2D's waist, kissing him softly. "Yer takin' on a /big/ responsibility, yew know tha'? Marryin' me. Yew makin' yerself responsible fer /everythin'/ I do...bu' yew doin' somethin' no othah person could do...yew special like tha'..."
The singer smiled, cupping Murdoc's face. "Y'know, ah been gettin' yew outta twouble fo' yea's, Muds. S'not gunna be too much diffewent now. Prolly bettah off now cos yew dun' got tha constan' ba' fights 'n bi'ds awround." He placed a soft kiss on the bassist's lips, knowing Murdoc had no clue just how much trouble Stu had gotten him out of. Paying bail, talking men away from the fight, convincing birds they were better off just leaving their purses here and not calling the police, taking hits for him rather often to prevent the fight from ever actually reaching the man..
"Well, I won' promise on them bar figh's. If we go fer a drink an' some bloke looks yew up, not sure I can let tha' slide, eh?" He pecked him softly on the lips before pulling away and turning his attentions to a wooden cigar box on the nightstand; his jewelry box of sorts. Opening it, gold bits and worn silver shined against the velvet black backcloth. His turned cross necklace was pushed aside, various 'borrowed' rings cast in many different precious metals prodded out of the way to retrieve a dull silver chain of a very special kind. It was a chain woven of many tiny loops, all interlocking and forming a gentle twisting pattern. On this chain was a thin silver ring. On this ring was a pair of gems, one emerald and one sapphire. His engagement ring. It was fancier than he would have liked, but 2D had begged him to choose something... It wouldn't be too long before it would be replaced by a wedding ring anyways... Murdoc unclasped the chain, handing it to his love and offering his neck.
2D took a moment to admire the ring's glint before gently taking it about Murdoc's neck and clicking the clasp closed. "The'e we go~" He chimed, nuzzling against Murodc lovingly. "So we 'eaded out once yew git somefin decen' on?"
"A'course, luv," he said, slipping on both shirts; first a white long sleeved shirt, then a worn and faded black tee bearing the yellow face that was the logo of the band Nirvana. He fished a pair of jeans he wore the night before from off the edge of the bed and pulled on both boots. Finally ready. A tiny trickle of fear dropped into his chest at the thought of the inevitable flight in the next few hours as he flopped onto the bed beside 2D. He distracted himself by peering up at the other man. "Ready?"
"Yup~!" 2D chimed, placing a soft hand on Murdoc's cheek and running his thumb beneath his eye. "Yew awright, lovey?" He inquired while pushing himself into a standing position and pulling Murdoc up after him; kissing his lips gently and starting to guide him out of the Winnie by his hand.
"Jus' the fligh'," he said as they crossed the carpark , making their way to the house where an eager Noodle and tired Russel awaited them in the ground floor lobby. He stopped just before they reached the door, not wanting to face the rest of the band in his current, nervous condition. He grasped his wrist with his opposite hand, looking down at them and avoiding 2D's eyes.
An encouraging, love-filled smile passed over the singer's face as he pulled Murdoc's chin up and looked into his eyes. "Mudsy, 'm gunna be wroight de'e wif yew an' ah aint gunna let anyfing 'appen t'yew, y'hea'?" He wrapped gentle arms around the older, whispering in a softer voice, "ah'll even 'old yew fo' mos' of tha flight if yeh wont. Y'know ah love 'oldin' yeh~" A soft kiss was placed on Murdoc's forehead before the singer drew back enough to search out his lover's gaze.
Murdoc's cheeks colored with a soft blush at the intimacy between them, unable to look away from those dark eyes. "Jus' stupid, yeh? This fear...jus' don' like flying...think i's gonna jus' fall outta the sky..."
"No, s'not stupid, Mu'doc. Ah c'n see why dat'd be scawy, mate. De'e's lotsa people out the'e afwaid of flyin', but y'know wot? Outta all of 'em, ah bet yewr tha only one wif tha stwength ta still get ona pwane." 2D said in a soft, comforting voice. It was true; though many people were afraid of flying, it took a truly strong person to still turn around and get on the plane.
Murdoc swiveled back and forth on his hips, bashful and shy at the compliment. "...Think so...?" He whispered, looking down again.
Stu nuzzled against his forehead, thin arms drawing the bassist flush against his thin chest. "Cou'se, lovey." He cooed in return, kissing the end of Murdoc's odd nose and trying to catch his eyes once more.
Murdoc glanced up into fathomless eyes lovingly, nodding, reassured. "Thanks, luv," He sniffed, breaking away from the embrace and heading toward the Geep. "Call them in 'ere, will ya? We gotta get a move on..."
The singer nodded, tracking down the others and summoning them. He was quick to make his way back to the carpark and hopping into the passenger's side. "So whe'e we goin' ta ea'?" 2D inquired, looking over at Murdoc brightly.
"Figured we could do pizza, maybe tha' Domino's in town, if yew wanna..." He referred to the one they'd visited on their 'anniversary date' on that fateful night before The Midnight House and the car... "I's really all up tah yew." Noodle and Russel climbed into their respective seats, Murdoc patting down his pockets for the keys, but only finding his phone, wallet, and flick knife. He sighed, holding his hand out to 2D, attempting to remain with a scolding look but a smile fought to shine through.
He giggled, passing off the keys and saying, "su'e." Though it would more than likely bring up memories he'd rather keep stashed away somewhere, he knew he'd be fine with his friends and lover there.
