You know those chapters that are just terrible to write because their only purpose is to get to another part of the story? This is one. I hate it with the fiery passion of one thousand suns, but it is necessary to my brilliant story. So… we'll all just have to deal with it.
Disclaimer.
Noodle slowly came to awareness the next morning in a content haze. She was pleasantly warm under 2D's blankets and she didn't remember the last time she had slept so well. 2D's arm was draped over her abdomen and she snuggled closer to the singer. Presently, said singer stirred slightly. His fingers contracted slightly on her side and she rolled over to look at him. He blearily opened one eye. When he saw the set of green eyes staring back at him, he opened his more fully.
"I actually awmost fought yew were gonna run outta 'ere before I woke up." He said sheepishly. She smirked.
"It wasn't a one-night stand. I know how used to those you are." He blushed and grinned.
"… but, you don't want to be with me." Her smile melted.
"I can't, Toochi." He nodded sadly and looked away, his arm still draped over her body. She searched his face, desperate for something that wouldn't make her feel so damn guilty. He looked up suddenly, his dark eyes swallowing her whole.
"Could yew tell me why, though? At least try? I promise that I'll listen real good. I won't fidget or anyfin, I promise." She giggled inwardly at his child-like expression. Outwardly, she sighed. The Voice was back. It was nowhere near at the power it was yesterday before the… well… yeah, but it was a faint but definite whisper in the back of her head. So, sex didn't cure her completely. She reached down and twined her fingers with his. He brought their hands up and kissed the back of her palm. She flushed and smiled.
"I suppose I could try. Fair warning though, it's not a pretty story and it's not easy to listen to. You're going to have to promise not to get mad." 2D looked up cautiously. What could have happened to her that made the story that bad? Nevertheless, he was more than thrilled to have her try to explain her reasoning. He quickly agreed to try and control his temper. She sighed again.
"Alright, let's get dressed and something to eat and we can take a walk by the beach and I'll tell you, ok?" He nodded and got up, reaching back to help her off the bed. 2D still hadn't put on his shirt from last night, so he was still standing in his jeans. Noodle was more covered, and had one of his old t-shirts over her thin camisole and shorts. They looked every inch the couple 2D wished so desperately they could be. Noodle started towards the door but was yanked back by the singer. Before she had time to register what was going on, his lips were on hers again. The kiss was short, but intense. Noodle saw stars when she was released. 2D smirked at her and gestured towards the door, still holding her hand.
"Fought yew were goin' upstairs, love?" She was still rather dazed. She shook her head and glared at him.
"Doesn't change anything, you know." He nodded at her.
"I know. I'm just exercising my right as the bloke you shagged last night." She flushed and tugged him to the lift with a muttered, "it wasn't shagging". 2D tried his hardest not to laugh at her remark.
Upstairs, the pair of quasi-lovers entered the kitchen to find it deserted. Noodle dropped his hand and looked around curiously before turning to 2D.
"Russel-san and Murdoc-san aren't avoiding me, are they? I feel like whenever I come around… they aren't anywhere." 2D shrugged.
"Dunno love. I'd be willing to bet they're just givin' yeh time to adjust. Murdoc's probably awready tol' Russ about yeh'r little fainting spell in the living room. And they don't know yew got outta yeh'r room las' night. I'd imagine they're probably hoping yew don't kill yehself." Noodle frowned at his teasing remark.
"I wouldn't have killed myself, Stuart."
"Ooh first names now, eh? Did I make yew angry? Why don't yew come ova here and tell me abou' it?" He smirked suggestively and cocked his finger in a 'come hither' fashion. Noodle rolled her eyes and strolled into the kitchen area, deliberately ignoring the singer. He followed, grinning. She went to the cupboard and rooted around until she found a canister of oatmeal. She wondered why Murdoc would have a can of it, he hated the stuff. She then realized she probably didn't want to know and put it back gingerly. She turned to find 2D staring at her, like he had previously the last time they were in the kitchen. She cleared her throat and watched his eyes slowly make their way up to her face, clearly enjoying the view. He threw her a leering grin, which for some reason, made her knees feel unstable.
"What is with you today, Toochi? First you kiss me, then you make the crack about me killing myself, and now-" 2D stuck his hands in his pockets and swaggered up. He stood close to her, Noodle was suddenly aware of how short she must seem, "you're… looking at me like… like you want to eat me…" She gulped. His lips lifted in a half-smile that exposed his gap. Noodle backed up, hitting the countertop. She had no where to run and this terrible, beautiful man was well aware of that fact.
"Can' say I know wot yeh'r talkin' about, love," he leaned closer to her, "Yew must be tired still…" Noodle felt the Voices jump and leer at her.
"He's seducing you! He's hoping you'll succumb again!" Noodle shook her head and pushed him away, wincing when she felt the muscle of his abdomen. He allowed himself to be pushed and leaned against the opposite counter, smiling and biting his lip.
"If you don't behave yourself, you won't hear the story." He sighed dramatically.
"Ok, I'll be good." He pretended to pout, causing Noodle to smile. She knew he wanted her to actually reciprocate his affection, the Voices were just there to make her doubt herself. She figured that if she kept in control, and tried to assure herself that she was indeed cared for, the Voices would lose their influence over her. Noodle shuddered at the thought of having another breakdown like the one in her bedroom. She wasn't sure if 2D's nerves could handle that either. The singer watched her struggle with her indecision a moment longer before turning to the fridge and swinging open the door. He ducked his head and emerged with a carton of eggs and a package of shredded cheese. He set his ingredients on the counter and rummaged around in another cupboard until he came up with a pan. Noodle looked at him curiously.
"2D… you don't eat eggs." He smiled and looked up at her.
"I know tha'. But yew do, dontcha?" His face became worried, "What can I make yew that yew'll eat?" Noodle shook her head. She didn't understand why he was being so protective and flirty and… acting like a boyfriend. She sighed.
"2D, you don't have to cook for me. I didn't even knew you knew how to cook." His grin widened.
"Ah cos I know 'ow to cook, love. Do yew fink Muds or I woulda survived very long wiffout Russel if neither of us learned to cook?" Noodle made a noise of agreement and leaned against the counter to watch him work. He whistled while he did and soon had a fluffy, hot cheese omelette on a plate, which he set on the table and looked at Noodle pointedly. She grabbed a knife and fork out of the drawer and sat down, feeling like a child. 2D quickly made himself a bowl of sugary cereal and sat down opposite her. She cut a small piece of her omelette and put it in her mouth. Noodle was simultaneously surprised and unsurprised that it tasted wonderful. He did everything else wonderfully, why should cooking go any different. 2D was watching her as she took the first bite. She looked up then and noticed his scrutiny.
"Well… 'ow is it?" She swallowed and smiled.
"Wonderful, of course Toochi." He beamed and dug into his cereal.
After the dishes had been dumped rather unceremoniously in the sink, 2D grabbed Noodle's hand and led her outside. She and the singer used to walk hand in hand all the time, it had never bothered her… but this time it felt different. Like their point of contact actually meant something now. Noodle mentally snorted. She didn't know why she was being so melodramatic, she had slept with him last night. That entitled him to a certain list of new privileges. Privileges that she wanted very badly to endorse, but could not against her conscience.
The pair strolled out near the water's edge, Noodle watched the waves crash onto the shore and drag whatever bits of trash it could find back out to sea. It was hard to believe she had only been on the island for a week, Noodle felt like she knew this place inside and out. 2D seemed to be heading somewhere in particular. When asked, he pointed with their interlocked hands ahead at a small hill.
"Fought we could go sit on Melancholy Hill and talk, yeah?" She nodded her acquiescence and pondered something.
"2D, did you name the hill or the song first?" 2D looked around.
"Eh? Well, I wos sittin' up on that hill one of the first days I got here and I was just sittin'… yeh know, lookin' out to the sea… and I just pictured a scene from a movie. A 'appy one, yeh know. And then I fought… this is actually quite a gloomy place, see? And the word 'melancholy' suddenly popped into my 'ead. It wos trippy, love. 'Ave yew- yew've listened frew the album, 'avent yew?" Noodle shook her head. She hadn't remembered to grab a computer when she was packing for her trip and she hadn't had a chance to listen through it yet. "Well, remind me to put it in when we get back, ok?" He finished rather awkwardly. They had arrived at the small hill. Noodle sat on the plastic grass and patted the spot beside her. She stared out at the waves and so did he. They weren't touching, Noodle was sitting cross-legged and 2D had one leg tucked up to his chest and the other hanging off the side of the cliff. For a moment they sat in silence, watching the water and the clouds that were being dragged in by the sky. He was waiting for her to start. Noodle sighed and looked down.
"I don't really know where to begin." The spell broke and 2D reached for Noodle's hand, entwining their hands on the ground. A slight chill had crept upon them and Noodle appreciated the warmth of his hand around hers.
"Start after yew got to the ground… start after El Mañana, i don' wanna fink about that any more'n I 'afta." Noodle stared at the ground.
"I packed my bags and went to the Maldives." 2D was confused as to why that would prohibit a relationship between the two of them. He waited for her to continue. "It was beautiful there… beaches and palm trees. I actually had time to work I my tan… even if it was short-lived." He smiled momentarily and then the grin faded into a line.
"Why did yew leave us to go on vacation?" She looked up at him. 2D's expression was morose, his eyes were questioning hers. She hesitated and looked down.
"I had to get away for awhile, Toochi. I didn't think I was cut out for this kind of life." He squeezed her hand.
"Do yew still fink so?" Her frown stretched, turning into a small smirk.
"I think I belong here with you and Russel and Murdoc." Noodle was surprised at how right the words felt. She didn't feel cut in half anymore. She was home with her family. Nothing the Devil could say or do would change that feeling.
"Did anyfin… 'appen there?"
"I got a tattoo… and I tried smoking a cigarette." 2D was momentarily distracted.
"I don't believe yew. I fought yew 'ated when I smoked, why would yew try it?" Noodle grinned up mischievously at him.
"Because you like it, 2D. I had to try at least once." His mouth spread in a half-smile as her gaze turned to a whale surfacing far in the distance. 2D stared at the whale, feeling disgust at the whale, but keeping it hidden. Noodle smoking. This was something he'd like to see someday. He mentally smacked himself. 'Later! She's still talking!'
-way, I was sitting in my hotel room. I missed all of you very much and I was contemplating going home early. And then…" Noodle choked off. 2D turned to look down at her. She had suddenly stopped and it looked like she was even hesitating to breathe.
"… Noods?" He nudged her lightly. She seemed to come back to herself and her eyes cleared. Whatever she was going to say clearly still brought her much pain. She took a deep breath.
"… and then, the demons came."
Ooh, ominous… I'm not even sure I would want you to review this… but they're kind of my heroin. Feed my addiction!
P.S. Did you get my title? El Mañana = the morning? It's the morning after? Haha yes… this is why I'm broke.
