After years of wondering, wishing, and worrying about her band mates, Noodle was relieved when she saw them again.
Russel, she knew, would be okay, but she still wondered about him. Honestly, she probably missed him more out of either of her other bandmates. Whenever she was upset, she thought of him. He never failed to make her feel better and she was glad he was the first one she got to see again. Murdoc – Murdoc – Murdoc she always assumed that he would be fine. Sure, she knew he would be upset, very upset, that she had gone missing. At the beginning there wasn't a doubt in her mind that he wouldn't spends months, maybe even years, trying to find her. But with every passing day, she lost more and more hope. Every now and then, she would grow upset - why hadn't he found her yet? She asked herself. Did he not care about her as much as she thought he did? Eventually, she gave up, pushing any thought of him away. There was no point waiting around for him.
No, 2D was the one she feared about the most. Without her guidance and friendship she knew, even from a young age, that he would be absolutely fucked.
And when Russel found her and told her that Murdoc had kidnapped him, she was terrified. And furious. Definitely furious.
"What happened to you, Noods?" Russel asked her one night as he waded through the water, careful not to crush anything below his feet as they grazed the bottom.
She shook her head, grimacing. Thankful her friend couldn't see her, she laid on her side, patting his head reassuringly. "Do not worry, Russel." She called cheerfully, the name sounding so foreign now. The man's head twitched, raising his head a bit in apprehension. "The worst is over. All I care about is finding the others."
2D had always trusted Noodle the most out of anyone else in the band, she knew this. She had always thought this was because she seemed to be the only one who understood. But in reality, she knew that it was because she was always the one who would eventually figure it out anyway. This was okay with her, though, because it would mean that he would always tell her everything he needed to. Noodle didn't like seeing her friend sad and, usually, whenever she spoke to him, he would feel better afterwards.
This was why one memory always stuck out in her mind.
The keyboardist had come to her room, knocking on her door quietly, as if hoping she wouldn't answer. Of course, she did. She had noticed earlier that he hadn't been feeling well; he had been complaining about having more headaches than usual (she counted five in total). Really, she had been expecting him to stop by.
"Ey, Noods?" 2D had finally said, after a long time of just sitting on the end of her bed and staring at his hands. She had looked up eagerly from her videogame, setting it down next to her and shifting closer to him. He had looked up at her, his expression giving away his distraught state of mind. She wrapped an arm around him, leaning her head against his shoulder. He pulled her closer, snivelling miserably. "D'ya fink…why does Muds 'ate me so much?" He had slurred through sobs. Then he rambled aimlessly about the bassist, it was hard for her to understand, but still, she listened intently.
When the man had ended up curled up on her lap, nearly asleep, she ran her fingers through his hair comfortingly. "Murdoc-san does not hate you." She whispered into his ear. "He does not hate you, Toochi."
She remembered distinctly the sad, lazy smile that spread across her friends face.
Only after Noodle finally saw Murdoc and 2D again, both staring incredulously across the shore at the huge man that knelt before them, she relaxed. She jumped out of her friends' mouth, landing expertly on her feet, and gazed at her bandmates. Tears brimmed her eyes when she saw them. They were better than she had imagined.
Murdoc's hair was greying, she noticed immediately. His skin was an a lot darker green than it had been when she last saw him. The bags under his eyes were a lot heavier and the wrinkles on his forehead were deeper. He looked so much older than she expected, so much more okay than she feared he would be. Her heart almost leapt out of her chest as she saw his eyes soften and a smile spread across his face when they locked eyes. Soundlessly, he said her name. She nodded at him, as if to assure him that he was right. It really was her, and it really was him.
Suddenly, she felt thin arms wrap around her. Instinctively, she pulled away, holding her arms out in front of her protectively. When she saw who it was, she broke out into joyous sobs.
2D stood in front of her, crouched slightly with his arms stretched out towards her. Though still pale, his skin was a bit darker. His hair had grown out quite a lot since she had seen him last - it fell against the side of his bony face, barely touching the bottom of his chin - and it looked brighter than it used too. His once porcelain skin showed signs of aging. Left over scars, wrinkles, sunspots littered his imperfect face. He was a lot skinnier than she remembered him, she realised. The knobs of his fingers, elbows, and knees jutting out almost painfully. He looked so different; all but his eyes.
His eyes still stared at her like she was the most important person in his life. The bags under his eyes were heavy, but not the worse they've been. As she looked closer, she noticed his left eye was darker than the right.
She threw her arms around him, letting herself be lifted and spun around. He cried out her name, kissing her forehead sloppily. Burying her face in his chest, she breathed him in. He smelled of trash and salt, but the faint scent of butterscotch still remained. She then realised as a sob raked through her body that the top of her head grazed the bottom of his chin.
Several hours after their reunion, the four band members were calm enough to crawl on top of Russel's head and get ready to shove off to land.
Murdoc was oddly silent, staring at the Plastic Beach behind them wistfully. 2D was staring at the back of the bassist's head, smiling softly. Noodle, though confused, decided not to comment, looking at 2D eagerly.
"2D," She said, grabbing his attention. He pried his gaze away from Murdoc and looked at her. He smiled peacefully at her, nodding. She opened her mouth, full intending to ask about what he had been doing on the island, when she instead asked, "What happened to your eye?"
The blue-haired man looked confused until Noodle pointed to the left side of his face. Curiously, 2D raised a finger to his eye, wincing when he touched it. Murdoc glanced at him, his expression blank, before turning back to the island. Noodle watched him, bristling. She had a feeling she knew where it came from.
"Oh," 2D said, sounding genuinely surprised. He then shrugged. "It must've been from me fall or sumfin'." He reasoned, softly touching the bruise again and, again, grimacing. "While me and Murdo' was runnin' from the Boogeyman, I tripped. Didn' I, Muds?"
Finally turning to the other two, Murdoc looked at 2D, longer this time. Looking down, eyebrows drawing together, as if trying to recall what happened. Noodle looked between the two in wonderment; usually at this point when 2D tried to lie for Murdoc, the bassist would just attack him, angry with him for trying to hide it. The Satanist looked back up at the keyboardist, nodding seriously. 2D just smiled pleasantly at him. Maybe a lot more had changed than she originally thought.
"Must've been." Murdoc grunted, biting his fingernails absentmindedly.
Despite herself, Noodle continued to press. "You fell? Are you positive?"
This time, both men gazed at her, perplexed.
"Could you've gotten it sooner, faceache?" Murdoc asked, blinking at 2D, all the usual venom behind the nickname gone. Noodle cocked her head to the side, watching the two carefully.
2D tapped his head thoughtfully, looking out at the water and narrowing his eyes. "I don't fink so…" He muttered. He turned to Noodle, smiling slightly. "I don't fink there's any other reason, Noods. Why d'ya ask?"
Noodle stared at the two incredulously as they both gazed at her curiously.
She shook her head, offering a strained smile. Both boys immediately relaxed and smiled back.
"There is no reason. I was just wondering." She commented, dismissing it with the wave of her hand. She patted Russel's head reverently and called at the top of her lungs, "We are really just happy to see you, are we not Russel?"
Russel nodded, causing all three band members to scream and hold on for dear life.
There was something 2D was keeping from her, Noodle decided.
For several weeks, the band hadn't see anything but ocean, but they didn't really mind. Their time was spent catching up. Noodle, though she had replayed memories of her bandmates over and over again in her head, was surprised to discover how different it felt to actually be with them. She had forgotten all the small, unnoticeable things. Like, the faces that 2D made when someone asked him a question, or the way Murdoc acted out every tale he spun, or the hearty, deep sound of Russel's laughter. She even surprised herself with her own giggle fit when Murdoc retold the story of when he first met Lou Reed.
"Think I'm joking?" Murdoc accused while she and Russel snickered. He grinned, getting down on one knee and proposing to the air. "I said to him, I said, 'Mister Reed, would you do me the pleasure of being Missus Lou Alphonce Niccals?' And he wouldn't have it. It took us days for him finally agree to take my last name." Russel roared with laughter below their feet, lifting a finger up to wipe away tears. Murdoc beamed.
Still chuckling, Noodle glanced over at 2D.
He was staring at Murdoc with amusement and admiration written all over his face. Noodle immediately sobered; it was always painful to watch 2D when he was around Murdoc. He always looked so hopeful. The keyboardist's mouth twitched into a grin, blinking in surprise as the bassist spun around wildly to emphasise a point. He let out a quiet chuckle, causing the other man to glance at him.
And then Murdoc did something she wasn't expecting: he winked at the younger man.
2D looked away, rolling his eyes good-naturedly, and gazed out at the ocean. Murdoc stared at him for a little while longer, before narrowly avoiding Russel's hand as the drummer smacked it down on his chest to catch his breath.
Something tugged at Noodle in the back of her mind. She was thankful, beyond it, that 2D and Murdoc were still on such great terms. It was like how it used to be back at Kong before their first break-up. They finally seemed like they could actually have a good time (well, without being drunk) again. The private jokes, the secret smiles, the silent conversations when their eyes met; she was happy for them. She really was. But there was something different about their relationship. And that was fine; as long as they were getting along, she didn't care. No, that wasn't the problem. She just didn't understand—
Why hadn't 2D talked to her about it yet?
For the first couple of days, she excused it. It was obviously hard to have one of their conversations with Russel and Murdoc around, seeing as 2D was always very wary to even talk to her. But, even when the drummer was snoring, floating aimlessly through the water, and the bassist was busy fiddling with Noodle's acoustic guitar, 2D talked of mild things. He didn't even mention Murdoc's name once. And he dodged any questions that she asked about Plastic Beach. Sometimes, it didn't even feel like the her friend was listening to her.
She then thought, she must have been mistaken. No matter the distance or time they spent apart, she would never stop being 2D's main confidant. She was his best friend, and he was hers. She knew that was never going to change.
Or, at least, she thought she did. And, now, she wasn't so sure. Because, later that very night, she had heard 2D and Murdoc talking in hushed voices behind her when they thought she was sleeping. She has stayed awake all night, long after the men stopped talking, and just stared straight ahead of her at nothing. She couldn't sleep when her mind kept her awake, whispering impossible scenarios that, now, seemed more believable than ever.
Presently, 2D looked over at her, confused. She waved him off, forcing a smile and focusing her attention back on Murdoc, who was screaming at Russel for almost crushing him. Russel just continued to laugh to the point of tears.
She felt 2D still staring at her for a long time after that, but she refused to return his gaze.
"Three rooms, if you can, luv." Murdoc purred, leaning on the reception desk and winking at the woman on the other side of it. She stared at them, eyes wide and mouth slack jawed. She blinked slowly, glancing from Noodle's black eye, to Murdoc and 2D's sundried skin, and, finally, all the way up to Russel. She pointed up to him, attempting to speak but ending up just whimpering. "What's that?" The bassist asked, smirking. He glanced up at Russel, chuckling lightly. "Oh him? No, he'll be just spiffing out here, darling. I wouldn't expect you to have a room to fit his fat arse."
Russel growled menacingly, causing Murdoc to grin sheepishly at him.
After the young woman got over her shock enough to speak, she croaked out in a low, southern accent, "We have only have two rooms open, sir."
Murdoc, tongue lolling out of his mouth and humming unpleasantly. The woman pulled a face and 2D cleared his throat, "Me and Muds will share, then." He said, a hint of aggravation in his voice. Noodle looked up at him, surprised and slightly wounded.
The bassist glanced behind him, cocking an eyebrow at him. He shrugged and pushed himself off the counter, holding out his hand for the keys without looking at the receptionist. The woman handed the keys to him shakily, still staring up at Russel, who was now walking over to an open field to lay down.
Noodle caught the keys that were tossed to her easily, watching as Murdoc strode down the open hallway of the motel down to his room. She felt a long, skinny arm wrap around her waist and squeeze. Looking up at 2D, she forced a small smile. He returned it, nodding as if he understood, and said, "Don't worry, Noods. Everythin'll be back to normal soon." He kissed the top of her head and she leaned into him, closing her eyes.
Pulling away, he followed Murdoc into his room staunchly. Her gaze followed him desperately.
No, it wouldn't. Things wouldn't ever be back to normal again.
The next morning, 2D was gone.
Noodle was awoken from a dreamless sleep by a loud knock on her door. Instinctively, she rolled out of bed and grabbed the switchblade she had kept under her pillow. Stalking towards the door, she pressed her face up against it and peeked through the peephole. She relaxed when she saw a huge, familiar brown eye looking at her. Rubbing her eyes, she stuck her weapon back in her back pocket and opened the door.
Ignoring Russel's shouts after her, Noodle sprinted to Murdoc's room and kicked the door down. The bassist, who was sitting on the bed, jumped and looked up at her. She stomped over to him, grabbing him by his hair and holding her knife to his neck. "Where is he?" She growled, pressing the blade to his throat.
She had expected him to yell, scream, struggle. That was what Murdoc did. He lied, he abused, he shrieked, he cursed, he drank, he smelled, he acted like an inhuman, piece of trash. All the time. That was the Murdoc Noodle grew up with. That's the Murdoc she knew. This man – This, whoever he was – was not the Murdoc she knew.
This Murdoc stared at her with puffy, heartbroken mismatched eyes. The look alone shocked her enough to recoil from him.
Dropping the switchblade, she glowered at him. "You know, do you not?" She snarled, wrapping her arms around herself. "You know where he is. And he told you where he was going." Helplessly, she started to huff uncontrollably. Her heart was beating so fast that her blood couldn't keep up. She felt lightheaded; she stumbled to her knees, her vision speckling. Distantly, she heard Russel booming voice screaming at Murdoc to do something, but he made no attempt to move. He shook his head, looking terrified. She stared at him, eyes filling with tears. "He told you where he was going. And he did not tell me." Skewing her eyes shut, she fell to the floor on her side.
She wept, then, not caring if the other two men saw. "He did not tell me. He did not tell me." She choked through sobs over and over again until she ran out of breath.
Numbly, she felt arms wrap around her and pull her closer. Despite herself, she burrowed into the embrace and sobbed helplessly. The bassist left watery kisses as he muttered soothing things into her hair. As her breathing became less ragged and her heart slowed, Noodle noticed the odd murmurs began to resemble a familiar melody*.
Murdoc's horrible stench and terrible singing was oddly comforting, she realised as he rocked her slowly in his lap. It reminded her of simpler times.
Hours later, Murdoc and Noodle stood outside of the motel, blowing smoke lethargically.
"Since when do you smoke?" Murdoc asked, glancing at her and raising an eyebrow.
Noodle laughed humourlessly without looking at him. "I must have picked it up from somewhere." She commented bitterly. Murdoc huffed, looking away from her to watch a car whip past them on the highway.
There was a long moment of silence between them. Sighing, Murdoc threw his cigarette on the concrete and crushed it with his Cuban heels. "Y'know, at the beginning, he used to try and talk to the Cyborg." He said, looking at her seriously. She stared straight ahead, letting the fag burn away in between her fingers. "It wasn't—I didn't program her to be you, luv. She wasn't like you. He needed someone to…" Murdoc trailed off, looking at his hands awkwardly. He shook his head, beginning to walk away. He stopped and turned to her. "He really missed you, Noodle. We both did."
Noodle stood there for a couple more minutes, letting the cigarette disappear.
After months of crying, fuming, and worrying over her band mate, Noodle was furious when she saw 2D again. So furious, the first thing she wanted to do was punch him in the gut.
2D had contacted Noodle, Murdoc, and Russel through a smoke signal that Russel deciphered from across the ocean as "come now". Without coordinates, the band just started making their way towards the general area the smoke signal was made. Days later, they realised they were going the wrong way when another message came that said "forgot: 212 Wobble St, London". Murdoc was so outraged, he didn't speak for three days. For once in her life, Noodle empathised with him.
Even with Russel's nonstop paddling across the vast ocean, it still took the band weeks to arrive to their destination. And, by the time they did, Russel and Murdoc were too exhausted to give the keyboardist the hard time. But Noodle was determined, impassioned, hurt, and she had every intention of letting the other man know that. Nothing the other two men would say could stop her from giving 2D a piece of her mind. It was time for her to talk and for him to listen. Eventually, Murdoc and Russel both shrugged it off, agreeing that whatever she did, 2D had coming to him.
Tiredly, Murdoc rang the bell, leaning against the railing. Noodle stood on the bottom step, livid with her hands clenching and unclenching into fists.
The three heard footsteps running down stairs for a good two minutes. Murdoc glanced from Noodle and Russel, raising a perplexed brow. Russel shrugged while Noodle just continued to glare at the doorway. After a loud crashing sound, an even louder curse, the front door flew open.
It all happened so fast. One moment she saw 2D, a huge grin on his face. Then, blinking, the next second she saw 2D's arms around Murdoc's waist with his lips smashing against his eagerly.
"Finally!" Russel's voice boomed, shaking the streetlights and the shutters on the windows.
2D pulled away from Murdoc, arms still securely around his waist. He closed his eyes, taking and deep breath and pressed their foreheads together. He opened his eyes, grinning widely. "'m ready now." He said, pecking his lips again. Murdoc himself looked absolutely shocked, his cheeks flushing a darker green.
He pushed him away, rolling his eyes. "Good. Fine." He mumbled with a small smirk, glaring at him and crossing his arms.
Immediately after, 2D turned to Noodle. He lunged forward and wrapped his arms around her, almost knocking the both of them to the ground. Shocked, she stayed still, letting the other man nuzzle his cheek against hers. "I missed you most, I fink, Noods." He mumbled against her hair, kissing her forehead earnestly. Pulling away slightly but still holding onto her shoulders firmly, he looked in her eyes and grinned brightly, innocently. "I have so much to tell ya'!" He cried, laughing a bit.
Shell-shocked, Noodle, stood there, nodding dumbly and watching 2D as he ran over and hugged Russel's toe affectionately.
She glanced at Murdoc, who was smiling pleasantly and watching the keyboardist trying to clumsily wrap his arms around the drummer's enlarged toe. There was something more in his gaze, something deeper, something she had never fathomed the bassist would be capable of. The realisation finally hit her, hit her so hard that she swayed a bit on her feet.
Noodle grinned, puffing out her chest triumphantly.
Maybe things wouldn't go exactly back to normal, but maybe that was a good thing.
*okay, so I have this headcannon that when Noodle was younger, Murdoc would always hum the melody to the song Demon Days, and that's what inspired her to make the song. Murdoc after all these years finally made the connection and MY HEART- Thank you so much for reading! I think I might continue this from Russel's point of view, then Murdoc's, then 2D's. Let me know if I should. If you see any typos, please let me know. I would also love your feedback, whether it good or bad. Have a wonderful day! xoxo Bethany