After their latest gig the band found themselves at a pub only half an hour away from the venue that they had been playing. Upon news of hearing that the four members of Gorillaz were to be there a crowd had appeared quite quickly. Noodle and Russel for the most part strayed away, they found a booth far in the back doing their best to stay away from the chaos of overly excited female fans and often loud and obnoxious male fans. Noodle seemed to enjoy it anytime somebody would want to spark a conversation with her about music or her views on really anything; mostly it was younger fans and girls who didn't notice Murdoc's presence. The band's drummer busied himself with ordering everything off of the pub's menu and seeing if he could eat it all, from what Murdoc could tell he had managed to consume well over half of what he had ordered. Watching him eat made the bassist nauseous. He took another shot, slammed the glass down on the bar only to have it filled again. It might be the four shots of whiskey that were causing the nauseous sensation though.

Women flocked around him, he kept his left arm wrapped around one's waist; her head rest on his shoulder. Every few seconds she would whisper in his ear or nibble at his ear lobe; he mostly kept her eyes on her breasts which seemed to be ready to pop out of the low cut and tight fitted tank top she was wearing. Two more shots in and he found himself sitting on a bar stool with said brunette on his lap, she had an arm wrapped around his shoulders and her mouth on his. She moaned, whimpered, and squirmed in his lap as he kissed her and touched her. She moaned delighted when his long tongue entered her mouth, she gave a small thrust of her full hips when his hand traveled up her inner thighs making its way up underneath her black mini skirt. With the pleased sounds falling from her pink painted lips and the way she was guiding his hand towards important parts of her body he knew he was close to getting a good shag in a bathroom stall.

"Murdoc I need to talk to you about something." A thick cockney accent that ended with a nervous stutter announced close by.

The bassist broke away from his canceled shag. The girl pouted then glared, she removed herself from the gothic man's lap and wandered way. Murdoc turned his full attention on the tall lanky blue haired man who stood there shaking and nervously fumbling with his fingers.

"What the fucking hell do you want, do you realize how close I was to getting with that bird? Fucking moron, I swear to Satan if this isn't important I'm putting your head through a fucking wall." He spat angrily at the younger man.

"I'm sorry, really just...I-I really need to talk to you, maybe um...Maybe...If you were busy though we can talk later. It's one of those things, you seem pi-"

Murdoc smacked the singer upside the back of his head, 2D flinched then rubbed where the bass player had hit him.

"Stop rambling, it makes you seem more brain dead than usual. We can talk outside, I swear if this is something idiotic I will kill you."

"Ri-right, okay; I swear it is."

Murdoc got down off of the bar stool and followed his singer through the throng of people that filled the building. If it wasn't for 2D's pretty looks and his good voice he wasn't sure he'd want a single thing to do with him. Possibly; he did find him entertaining, not only when he was getting hurt. The kid did have his moments of being genuinely funny and on rare occasion he could even sound quite smart. Not like Murdoc really wanted to compliment him all that much; people often questioned him when it came to just how open he was about saying how gorgeous the singer was. He never saw the big deal, pretty was pretty; didn't matter if it was a bloke. Even if it was one that drove him absolutely mad most of the time.

The two musicians exited out the back of the pub ending up out in the alleyway, a light hanging over the door was the only thing providing light of any kind. The cold weather sent shivers through the dark haired man, he noticed his friend's lack of jacket and the short sleeves he chose to wear and wondered how in the Hell he wasn't freezing his ass off right now. He was probably just too stupid to notice that he was freezing to death.

When the door clicked shut 2D was back to being fidgety and to looking around the alley, but never at Murdoc. He stared off in the distance at a couple of men smoking cigarettes, the two talked amongst themselves then laughed about something.

"Alright you got me outside, I'm going to freeze my balls off; now what the hell do you want?" Murdoc asked impatiently.

The younger musician jumped startled at the sound of the growl of the older man's voice, Murdoc smirked at his reaction which seemed to make 2D more uncomfortable and nervous than he had already been.

"Y-yeah right um...I. It's about...It's about you or me...Shit I mean, us. Yeah us. I've been thinking"

"That's a laugh"

"Shut up, I'm trying to say something" 2D retorted glaring down at the other man.

Murdoc refrained from yelling at him, he got some enjoyment out of it when the blue haired singer could stand up to him from time to time, something about it made him feel just a tiny bit of respect towards him. He wouldn't say that though, he'd rather hang from the gallows than admit he had any sort of respect for his singer.

"Right, right get the fuck on with it dullard."

"I...It's...We've known each other for awhile, right? Like I have technically known you since I was about like nineteen and...Just we've...We've been through a lot. You're sort of...I...I don't think you hate me all that much, even though you say you do...I just...I"

"Fucking Hell you idiot just get on with it so I can go back inside, maybe find that gi-"

2D grabbed the front of his shirt, he pulled the shorter man roughly to him pressing his lips firmly against his. He shoved Murdoc back against the metal door with a loud thud, he kissed him hard for a second or two until moving onto something more gentle. The bassist felt his body tense, he felt shocked by what had happened; it took only six seconds for his mind to catch up to what was going on. It took one second of kissing back for him to realize how wrong this was to do and how it went against everything he had taught himself in life.

He grabbed 2D's wrists hard enough to make the younger man groan and release his grip. Murdoc shoved him hard, 2D stumbled and tripped over his own shoe laces falling hard onto his ass. When Murdoc stood towering over him the younger knew enough to scramble to his feet.

"I-I'm sorry"

Murdoc punched him hard in the stomach making him double over.

"You disgusting little fucker! Do you really think I'd lower my standards enough to let a filthy little git like you touch me? Don't ever do that again and you were wrong, I hate your bloody guts. You disgusting, pathetic piece of shit."

He shoved him again, this time his back hit against the brick wall. 2D stood with his shoulders slumped, one hand placed on his aching abdomen and black abyss like eyes staring up at him like a frightened dog that had just been beaten by its owner. For the smallest of seconds he actually felt a pang of guilt, didn't he used to look up at his dad like that when he was a boy after a round of abuse?

He shook his head to make the memory and the guilt go away, he'd drink more and find that broad in the mini skirt to make the feelings go away. He could still taste cherry chapstick from where the singer had kissed him.

"Get the hell outta here, you fucking twat."

2D didn't respond, didn't yell or try to ask why he was mad. He simply hung his head and walked away disappearing somewhere down the alleyway.

He gave it a minute just to be sure the singer wouldn't come back and try that again or try to speak to him about what had happened. When he was for sure he wouldn't be seeing him again for awhile or at least until they were back at the hotel he leaned back against the wall he had thrown 2D against. He pulled out a cigarette, lit it up and took a drag from it. He held the smoke in until it burned before releasing it into the clear night sky. He watched it swirl and dance then evaporate. He could still feel where the singer had kissed him, he tried to think if there were any signs something like that would happen. He thought about how much the younger man adored him, how he insisted on being around him as much as possible, and how he rarely seemed bothered by the cruel words or the way Murdoc beat on him. He could barely think of anything; there were times 2D would tell him he found him beautiful, times he'd stare at the bassist for too long, but Murdoc never figured that meant anything like that. His biggest problem was he didn't know how to get it off of his own mind, he didn't mind sharing a moment of intimacy with a bloke or two, but with 2D; that seemed off limits. He wasn't exactly into the habit of sleeping around with band mates, not after the incident with Paula and even then he hadn't wanted that. He'd done it to show his friend how terrible of a woman she was, he hadn't thought it through all too well.

The same guy who wouldn't speak to him for weeks and had nearly quit the band over that was the same one who had just stuttered through some weird crush admission and kissed him. It didn't make much sense to him; it aggravated him really. How the fuck could he feel that way about somebody who for the most part disliked him?

There was definitely something off about the younger musician if he would dare do a thing like that with somebody who treated him so badly. He could do way better.

Not like that was what this was about, he told himself that even if it was complete bull shit.

"Hey queer bait where the fuck is your boyfriend at?"

A man just a bit taller than himself approached him; the man had pale skin, a bruise beneath his right eye, his brown hair had far too much gel in it, and his clothes hung loose on his body.

"Sorry mate I don't got a boyfriend, not my style." He responded coolly, he took another drag waiting for the idiot to go away.

The brown haired man was annoyed at being ignored like that, he grabbed the cigarette from the older man and dropped it to the ground stubbing it out with the toe of his white tennis shoe.

"I don't like being ignored, I also don't like seeing faggots hanging around here."

He stepped closer to the bassist trying to come across as intimidating. Murdoc eyed him, he just seemed like another soccer hooligan looking for a fight, and pretending he owned everything that he pissed or shit on.

"Listen when I'm talking"

Murdoc punched him hard in the jaw knocking him back a few steps.

"I heard you, now fuck off you stupid ponce."

He reached back into his pocket for his pack of cigarettes again, he didn't notice the younger man taking a swing of his own; he got caught off guard by the hit to the side of his face that knocked him over. He fell onto the wet ground with a heavy thud, when he started to pull himself up he received a hard kick to his side knocking him back down.

"Stupid fucking bastard, how dare you hit me. I'll fucking tear you to shreds you fucking pig."

Murdoc grabbed hold of his ankle when he went for another kick, he pulled hard knocking him off balance and making him fall to the ground. He got on top of the brown haired man straddling his lower stomach. He held onto his throat as he started punching him in the throat.

"How dare I? Listen here you scrawny little fuck-"

His assault was cut short when somebody grabbed him by the back of his shirt hauling him up off of the ground and throwing him back against the brick wall. Another much more muscle bound man stared him down this time, this one with acne scarred skin and greasy black hair; he snarled exposing crooked and crowded teeth. Murdoc looked over his shoulder to see the brown haired man climb unsteadily to his feet, he wiped his face with the back of his hand smearing blood from his nose across his left cheek. Something cool and sharp against his neck brought Murdoc's attention back to the large thug who had him against the wall. A knife was digging into his neck.

He smirked at the man which seemed to make the knife dig a little deeper.

"Well go on with it, you over sized fairy."

"What the hell is going on here?"

"Shit, 2D fuck off this doesn't concern you, you idiot."

The singer stood there looking between the man holding Murdoc against the wall then towards the smaller man who was still attempting to make his nose stop bleeding by rubbing his hands against it repeatedly.

"Let go of him you fucking ape." The lanky musician rushed towards the black haired man, he gave a jump trying to get on top of him.

The man with the knife took his attention off of Murdoc in order to swing at 2D with a large arm knocking the singer a good foot landing him on his ass. The bassist took this as a good opportunity to rush him, he head butted the large man, he heard the crunching of his nose as it broke upon impact. The throbbing in his own head made him feel sick, a hard hit to his chest sent him against the wall and onto the ground. He saw 2D rush at the muscle freak again, this time to his surprise the singer did land a rather hard punch to the bastard's throat knocking him back as he coughed and wheezed. 2D turned to Murdoc offering his hand to him, the bassist took it not even bothering to thank him or even look him in the eye.

The small moment of peace and gratitude was cut short when something struck him over the head knocking him to the ground again, this time causing him to black out. He heard scuffling, skin hitting against skin, loud curses, a scream, and then another thud. He only came to when he heard the heavy metal door slam closed followed by the sound of a woman with a too thick Irish accent begin hollering.

"Oh my god, what happened?"

The bassist groaned, he felt a shudder go through him at the pain coursing through his head. He noted to himself to never head butt somebody again. He felt blood trickling down the back of his neck, he figured he'd been hit with perhaps a glass bottle. No hooligans or thugs were hanging around by the time he got himself to his feet though he had to hold onto the wall for support. Though he did notice the crumpled up body on the ground in a puddle of water, liquor and something more.

"Fuck"

He managed two steps, next to 2D then dropped to his knees. The singer was hunched over half on his side and half on his front. Murdoc carefully rolled him over onto his back so he could see the damage done. He had assumed the woman with her bright red hair and flushed face was over reacting, but that was until he saw the rips in his friend's green shirt and the blood flowing from the gaping hole in his chest.

"Shit"

He lightly smacked the younger man's pale cheek repeatedly, "Hey c'mon, wake up you fucking idiot. Oi call a fucking ambulance, just don't stand there like an idiot." He ordered the woman who nodded dumbly then rushed inside.

He could just hear her yelling to the others in the pub, announcing a fight had gotten out of hand in the alleyway.

Murdoc ignored them; he shook 2D's shoulders as he continued to loudly order for him to wake up.

He placed his index and middle fingers against the side of his neck feeling for a pulse point; there was something there, but it was alarmingly weak. Whatever buzz he'd had that night was far gone now, he felt a cold panic inside of himself. He knew it wouldn't do a damned thing, but he placed his free hand over the gaping wound in his friend's chest. The feeling of blood made him by instinct want to pull away; he never realized just how hot it felt. He didn't like seeing this much coming out of his friend. His stupid friend who got himself stabbed by shoving his nose in a fight that didn't concern him.

"You fucking idiot, why the hell did you go and do that!? You know you can't fight worth shit, you worthless little fuck. Damn it. Just wake up, open your damn eyes. C'mon Stu. Please, c'mon open your eyes for old Muds..."

His chest rose and fell, but it was shallow and happening less now. More people were outside, a crowd gathered around them. Everybody talked and questioned; he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder.

"Murdoc what happened man, what the fuck happened to 'D?"

"Fucking fight, got out of hand; some asshole thug stabbed him. Shit. Is there an ambulance coming or what?"

"Yeah, yeah it's on it's way." Russel assured.

Both musicians looked down at the singer who seemed to be getting paler. Murdoc pulled his limp body closer to himself.

"C'mon you dullard, just open your eyes. Don't leave me alone you stupid bastard." he muttered against the crook of his neck.

The sound of sirens approaching game him some pathetic semblance of hope.

The paramedics and police fought their way through the crowd of on lookers, the paramedics had little problem removing 2D from Murdoc's grip; he felt numb and in complete shock. He only got up from the ground when Russel told him he'd called a cab and they were going to follow the ambulance to the hospital. He sat with the drummer, he stared down at his blood stained shirt and hands. His hands were stained with his best friend's blood; the friend who got into a fight to keep his arrogant ass from getting stabbed, the one who took a knife for him, and the one who had kissed him before all of that. The one who apparently carried some crush on him, the one who cared about him. The same friend he had beat up, had told that he hated him, and was disgusted by him. He'd said he was trash.

When they arrived Russel lead the bassist in, he sent him to the restroom to wash up. Murdoc spent until Russel came in after him just standing looking blankly into the mirror, the sink was stained pink with blood, with 2D's blood. The doctor wanted to see them about his condition, Murdoc knew there was nothing to say. There had been so much blood, a gaping wound and blood gushing out of it.

He sat on the ugly purple vinyl chair that made his ass hurt, he listened dully as the middle aged man with his bald spot and wire framed glasses that slipped down the bridge of his nose talked on and on. He talked about broken ribs, the knife had gone deep; whoever had stabbed him had used a lot of force. The knife had pierced through his heart; he had lost too much blood in the time Murdoc had been passed out, in the time it had taken for that woman to call somebody, and too much time had passed between the pub and the E.R.

He didn't even realize until they were in the room that he had followed Russel and the doctor to the room where 2D's body was. His friend's body lay motionless on the bed, a white band around his thin wrist. Murdoc slowly approached the small hospital bed; they had washed him up, when they figured there was a miniscule chance of helping him. His skin was pale, it had a tinge of gray or maybe blue to it, he wasn't sure. He didn't really want to think on it too much. Murdoc reached out a trembling hand, he brushed back damp blue hair moving it away from 2D's face. His hair was getting long, he'd need to cut it.

He let his fingers trace along his room temperature skin.

Dead, his best friend was dead.

Dead, dead; he kept repeating that word in his mind as he looked down at him. Tears stung his eyes catching him by surprise; crying wasn't his favorite thing and he never did it over people. One tear turned to two and then that turned to soft crying which soon turned to heavy sobs. He dropped to his knees resting his head on the bed as he cried his body shaking with each heavy sob, he took hold of 2D's hand holding onto it tightly.

"Don't leave me, don't leave me you fucking asshole."

"Muds, come on man I think we should go; Noodle's back at the hotel we need to go talk to her."

"Fucking give me a second."

He pulled himself to his feet but he still held onto the younger man's hand.

"Alright, I'll be waiting out in the hallway. Just a few seconds."

Murdoc waited until he was sure the larger man was out of the room.

"I didn't mean those things I said to you back there. You fucking caught me off guard mate, I'm fucking sorry. Hear that? Just said it, I mean it. Damn it. Don't make me lose my only friend, not sure I can handle this."

He leaned down pressing his lips against the younger man's forehead, he hesitated for a few seconds before he gently kissed his lips. He felt himself trembling when he kissed him, when he thought back to when he hadn't been cold and when he'd initiated the kiss; when that dumb lanky body had pinned him to a metal door. Murdoc straightened up, he couldn't bring himself to look at him anymore. He made himself release his hold on his lifeless hand, he turned and walked away.

It wasn't until after a trip to the police station and after he got back to his hotel room at five in the morning that it hit him. It hit him hard; he sobbed and screamed until his throat was raw and his back and chest ached horribly.