((i do not own gorillaz: all rights go to jamie hewlett and damon albarn!))

It was evening in the Gorillaz household. After a (not-so) nutritious and (not-so) delicious dinner of delivered pizza, the group sat in the living room.

Murdoc was sprawled on the couch with his arms resting either side of him. He let out a long burp.

Russel snorted, then matched the burp with one of his own.

2D held up a finger, signalling that a big one was about to rip. He waited, but all that came out was a small noise that sounded more like a hiccup.

The two men chuckled. "That was pathetic," Murdoc cackled.

Noodle smiled. It was good to be back.

It had been a couple of months since they had moved into the London flat. Noodle was now somewhat used to their living arrangements. Her bruises had healed. Cyborg Noodle, with much protest from Murdoc, had been put into storage. Noodle wanted that repulsive thing gone, but the Satanist argued against her for hours. Russel was back to normal. The radioactive chemicals finally left his body, leaving a normal-sized drummer in the giant's place.

2D drummed his fingers on his thigh absentmindedly. Russel tapped his foot to a beat only he could hear. Noodle stared at her friends. They really needed something to do.

Murdoc sighed heavily, then got to his feet. "Right. I think I'll be goin' now."

"Where?" Noodle looked up at him.

"We're the Gorillaz, love. We can crash any party we want to."

"Oh."

"Don't worry. I'll be back soon enough." He laughed and went out the door.

"Russel?" Noodle said hopefully. "Want to do something?"

"Sorry, baby girl. Someone's gotta make sure Murdoc doesn't get into trouble." He gave an apologetic smile. " He ain't gettin' arrested this time," he muttered. "But I'm sure D'll keep you entertained."

2D perked up. "Yeah, of course!"

Noodle smiled back. "Okay. Keep an eye on Murdoc!"

"I will." Russel closed the door behind him.

"So," 2D said. "Wotcha wanna do?"

The two played video games for a few hours, then grew bored of the activity.

"I'm hungry," Noodle announced.

"We just ate," 2D said.

"Yeah, at six. Now it's eleven." She peered into the empty fridge. The light flickered. All that was there was a few bottles of beer, a jar of strawberry jam, the end pieces of a loaf of moldy bread, and a box of takeout that probably should have been thrown out a week earlier.

"Whose turn is it to go shopping?" The door slammed shut. "This is ridiculous."

2D opened up the freezer and dug around for a minute. Then he produced a tub of vanilla ice cream. He held it up triumphantly, got two spoons, and marched to the couch.

Noodle flipped on the TV, spoon in mouth, letting the sweet creamy dessert melt on her tongue.

"Wot's on tonight, love?"

"A zombie movie marathon, I think."

2D fist-pumped the air. "YES."

Noodle giggled.

The blue-haired man poked her in the stomach. "You fink I'm funny, eh?"

She brushed the fringe out of her eyes. "Yeah. Funny-looking."

"That's it." He tickled her sides with his long pianist fingers. Noodle gasped and tried to curl into a ball to avoid his slender hands.

"S-stop it! I-can't-breathe."

"Do you surrender?"

"Never."

He tickled harder.

"Fine! Fine, okay, I surrender. Just please, no more tickling."

2D chuckled. "Good. Let's watch some movies."

2D watched the screen intently. Was he going to propose?! The anticipation was killing him. He chewed his nails nervously as the handsome main character on the screen took out a small box, which he was about to open when...

BLAM.

A bullet went straight through him, soaking his fancy suit with bright red fake blood. The beautiful girl, Anne, screamed and fainted. It was the evil Mr. Glitzenheimer, who had returned to take back his beloved Anne.

What? Where did he come from? I thought he had died in that gas explosion! 2D gaped at the TV screen. This movie, which had started out as a lighthearted rom-com, had turned into a full-blown murder/revenge/action flick. He shook his head.

I wonder if Noodle understands this more than I do. He looked over at her and was surprised to see her sleeping.

She looked younger asleep. More innocent. Not like someone who went through all the stuff she had.

2D watched her, thinking of all the memories they had shared when they were younger. Chasing eachother around the house when they had lived at Kong Studios, getting ice cream in the hot summer days where the band did nothing but lay on the ground and sleep, playing practical jokes on Murdoc, like the shaving cream and feather trick.

He had always loved her as a little sister. Lately he had been feeling something else. It was definitely love, but somehow it felt... different.

Noodle's head moved slightly. She exhaled through her nose. Her small body rose and fell with every breath she took.

She's so beautiful.

Ever since she came back, she seemed different. More grown up. Mentally and physically. She had always been smart and patient, often the group's go-to gal when an argument or fight arose. Now she seemed quieter. Like something had happened that she didn't want to talk about. Noodle also grew taller. Of course not as tall as the gangly singer, but now she reached to his chest. 2D hadn't realized how pretty she was and was shocked to think that he had ignored it all these years. How had he not seen this before? Bright green eyes, a sweet smile, choppy hair a shade somewhere between violet and indigo. Top it off with a caring yet mischievous personality and mad guitar skills, and you've got a girl that fans screamed for.

Speaking of screams, there was a loud yell on the television. In a fit of jealous rage, Mr. Glitzenheimer had gruesomely killed Anne with a butcher knife.

2D looked up at the TV, suddenly aware of how loud it was turned up. He fumbled with the remote, and managed to hit the mute button.

Despite his efforts not to disturb Noodle, she stirred from her spot on the couch.

"What's-" she yawned, "going on?"

"Aw. Yer awake."

"Is something wrong?" she asked sleepily.

"Nothin', lil love. Just the TV."

She nodded, but couldn't keep her head up.

"Come 'ere."

Noodle crawled into 2D's lap, like she had done a hundred times before. Of course, she had been around ten at that time, but it still felt exactly the same. The warm, reassuring embrace of the older man. Unlike Murdoc, who constantly stunk up the flat with the smell of stale liquor and unwashed clothes, 2D smelled like butterscotch and cigarette smoke. The steady, gentle thumping of his heartbeat calmed Noodle, his chest pressed against her back. Soft hums escaped his lips.

"I missed you." Her voice was barely audible.

Something in the way she said those three words made 2D hold her a little closer. He couldn't even bear to think of the long nights she had spent, all alone.

They were quiet for a while.

Noodle noticed the TV was still on. It flashed pictures of an angry man and a woman covered in blood.

"What are you watching?"

"Oh. Er... I dunno, really. It came on after we watched that zombie movie..."

Noodle stifled another yawn.

"You should probly get ter bed, love." 2D scooped Noodle up in his arms and started to walk upstairs to her room.

"You don't need to carry me." Noodle said, hoping 2D wouldn't see the color creeping into her cheeks. Little did she know, the dark hallway made it hard to see 2D blushing too.

Once they got to Noodle's room, she was dropped on the bed gently. The singer tucked her in like old times and planted a light kiss on her forehead.

"Goodnight, Noods."

Noodle closed her eyes and opened them again. 2D was almost out the door.

"Wait!" she called.

"Mm?" He walked back to the bed.

Noodle flung her arms around him. "I love you, Toochi."

2D was taken aback. She hadn't called him that in ages. He smiled and hugged her. "I love you too."

"Will you sleep in here with me? Just for a little while."

2D hesitated. The guys wouldn't suspect anything, right? Murdoc would make some stupid comment ("Oi, what are you, shagging?"), that was guaranteed, but at least Russel would understand.

"Yeah, of course." He climbed into the bed and pulled the covers around himself. Him and Noodle were laying on their sides, facing each other.

"I'm not so little anymore," Noodle said after a pause.

"I know." 2D felt dumb. Well, dumber than usual. Why did he call her that stupid nickname? She wasn't a kid. She wasn't a kid. That freaked 2D out a little, to be honest.

"Yer not a little girl. I can jus' call you Noodle."

"I'm not saying you can't call me that," Noodle said. "I like it."

2D gave a grin, showing the gap in his teeth. "Good."

The guitarist snuggled up next to him, putting her head on his chest.

2D gulped. The feeling was coming back. It fluttered in his stomach, teasing him. Something else was there too, something lower...

He was starting to sweat. This is wrong. This is so wrong. He squeezed his eyes shut. She's half my age. What am I doing?! Bloody hell...

Noodle felt 2D squirm and looked at him quizzically. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah, Noods." His voice cracked, and Noodle knew something was wrong.

"2D... What's wrong?"

"It's nothin'." He tried to keep his voice light, but the feeling wouldn't go away and it was making it terribly hard for him to talk to Noodle normally. "Y'know, I should probably be going, actually. See you in the morning." He jumped out of her bed, sending the covers flying, and ran out the door.

Noodle sat upright, staring after him for a long time. Hot tears sprung up behind her eyes. Did I scare him off? What is wrong with me? She was cold without his arms around her, wearing only a tshirt and a pair of shorts. Noodle put her head down and fell asleep, wishing the pillow was 2D.

In the morning, no one could tell that she had been crying.