Woooo. I totally just updated and before I am kicked off too! Muwahahaa. Lucky break for me and you guys. Two chapters in one night!
Chapter Title: 2D
Chapter Rating: T (mild language)
Murdoc took a quick breath and closed his eyes. He clenched his teeth and roughly let go of 2D's shirt.
"No," Murdoc muttered, turning away from the singer. "I can't."
"God damn it Murdoc! Jus' tell me!" 2D growled, gesturing his hands wildly. He stayed against the cupboard.
"Fer the love of sweet Satan, 2D!" Murdoc snapped, turning around quickly. "Git outta here, now!"
"M' not leavin' until yew tell me!"
"M' not tellin' you shit! Now leave!"
"No," 2D said sternly.
"If ya don' get outta here in thirty seconds, I'll shoot you in the head with my gun!"
"I doubt it!"
"Jus' watch me!"
Murdoc quickly dove onto the ground and he grabbed the gun from under his bed. 2D turned to Murdoc and the gun pointed up into his face.
2D clenched his teeth. "Yew wouldn't."
"S' loaded," Murdoc breathed, keeping his aim.
"Gorillaz will go down wifout me. Yew'll all go down."
"I'll find myself a new singer. He'll be better than you."
"Wot would the fans fink?"
"It'll be a freak accident. Or suicide.
"They know I'm not tha' stupid. They know tha' I wouldn't do tha'."
Murdoc narrowed his eyes. "Jus' leave. Get out."
"Tell me yer secret."
Murdoc's finger moved to the trigger and 2D flinched. His finger lightly rubbed it.
2D's voice went up a notch higher. "Don't. Please."
Murdoc laughed hysterically. He pressed the gun to 2D's forehead.
"Damon and Jamie would kill yew," 2D whispered, swallowing harshly.
"I don't care about wot they'd do!"
Murdoc laughed again and 2D's eyes closed. Two tears leaked out of his eyes. The gun pressed hard into his forehead. It started trembling slightly. 2D opened his eyes again. Murdoc's arm was shaking as his laugh slowly died down.
Murdoc frowned and dropped the gun. He turned away, rubbing his shoulders.
"Get out," he whispered, sounding hurt.
2D nodded slightly and slowly backed out of the Winnebago. He tripped on the way out, and his face scraped along the cement lot.
He sighed, pushing himself up. He touched his cheek. That red liquid, that Stu absolutely hated, ran down his fingers.
Stu ran towards his room. He opened his door and went over all of his mess of stuff. Stuart jumped into his bed. He hid his face in his pillow.
He felt like he had done something wrong. He turned his head to the open door. He stared blankly at the empty spot.
Stu felt like he had made Murdoc flip. Why did he have to keep bugging him?! But, seriously, what did Murdoc want to tell him? Or didn't want? It was so serious, that Murdoc wouldn't tell him! Whatever it was, 2D still wanted to know!
2D held his pillow close to his face. He closed his eyes, falling into a deep train of thoughts.
XXX
"2D-san?" called young Noodle's voice.
2D slowly opened one eye and he looked at doorway.
"Were you sleeping? I am sorry if I woke you," she whispered, resting against the doorway.
"No, I woz only finkin'," he replied, still holding his pillow tightly.
"Well, are you going to come up for dinner? It's ready."
"S' awready dinner?" 2D asked quietly.
"Hai."
"Awright. I'll be up in a few."
"I wanted to walk with you."
"Damn it," Stu thought harshly. "I can't get away with my bloody face now."
"Okay," he said reluctantly.
He pulled away from the sticky pillow and sat on the edge of his bed. He looked up at Noodle, who was still standing at the doorway. Her mouth dropped open.
"2D! Your face! It's all cov –"
"Don't make a fuss of it, Noodle-girl. M' tired an' I don't need it now," 2D said, standing up.
"Did Murdoc-san do it?" she asked quickly, watching him as he walked over the crap in his room.
"I did it myself," he said, reaching her.
"On purpose?"
He chuckled. "Yew know I wouldn't 'urt myself on purpose, lil' luv!"
"How did it happen then?"
"I tripped."
"Oh."
"Now let's go, Noods. Shouldn't keep Russ waitin'," he smiled.
"What about Murdoc? Did you ever find him?"
"Yeah, I did. He's in 'is 'bago. But 'e wants ta be alone."
"You talked to him?"
2D nodded. "Do ya wanna talk about it after? Like in yer room?"
"Sure 2D."
"I'm not going to tell her everything though," 2D thought to himself. "Most of those things are between me and Murdoc only."
XXX
"Ah! What the Hell happened to you?" Russel asked loudly as the singer and guitarist walked into the kitchen.
"I fell," 2D laughed at Russel.
"Fix yourself up first. Then come eat. I'm not lookin' at your ugly mug the whole time I'm eatin', 'D!" Russel explained and then he gagged.
2D laughed again and he looked down at Noodle.
"I'll clean you up, 2D," she smiled.
Noodle leaped up onto the counter and opened one of the cupboards. She pulled out two rags and some Band-Aids.
Russel collapsed into one of the kitchen chairs. He watched Noodle leap off of the counter and he said, "Watch yourself, Noodle-girl." He smiled after he had said that. "I don't want ya hurt."
"I know what I am doing, Russel," he giggled and then stuck her tongue out at him. She then looked up at 2D. "Let's go to the Toilets?"
"Yeah, sure," 2d mumbled.
XXX
"It hurts."
"Are you going to cry?"
"No."
Noodle had already cleaned the blood out of his blue hair and she moved onto his face.
The rag was covered in soap and water. She rubbed it lightly along his wound.
2D flinched again, closing his eyes. He bit his bottom lip.
"Soap and cuts don't mix too well," 2D murmured.
"I know they don't. But we need to clean them out," Noodle replied.
"So, wot were yew workin' on in yer bedroom?" 2D asked, starting a conversation so that he could try and ignore the pain.
"Nothing really."
"Aw, c'mon. Yew can tell me."
"I was drawing. But, it was kind of bad."
"Yew should let me see. I'll be the judge of it."
She laughed.
He felt the cloth leave his face and he opened one eye, then the other. She was soaking it in some water from the sink. The cloth went back to his face and she started rinsing away the soap.
"Can I see it though?"
"Fine. But promise not to laugh!" she exclaimed.
"I won't. Or it depends. If yew drew a comic then I'll laugh."
"Funny, 2D," she giggled at his lame joke.
"Ah, woteva," he replied dully. He then found himself smiling.
"It isn't a comic though."
"Awright. Then I won't laugh!"
Noodle giggled. She then took the cloth away from his face. The guitarist set the wet cloth down on the sink and then grabbed the dry one. She dried off his face carefully, trying not to hurt the singer.
"Do I really haveta put those dumb Band-Aids on my face?"
"Yes, you do," she smiled, grabbing four from the box.
She put them on his face where the scrapes were worse.
Noodle smiled at her achievement and got off of the tiled floor. She grabbed the rags and the box of Band-Aids.
"Are you getting up?" she asked, looking down at the kneeling singer.
"Yeah," he smiled, pushing himself up. "Oh. Thanks so much."
She nodded, heading for the door.
"Oh wait!" She turned around, looking up at 2D. "I forgot something."
"Wot is it?" 2D asked, looking back at the sinks. Nothing was on them.
"Come here," she said.
He leaned down to her height. They were at the same eye level now. Noodle kissed his hurt cheek softly. He smiled and then she pulled away.
"There," she beamed.
"Thanks. An' it actually did 'elp me."
She laughed at him and she opened the door. "You first 2D."
"Of course!" he agreed.
2D walked past Noodle and then she followed him to the kitchen.
XXX
"That's – better!" Russel exclaimed, looking up at 2D.
The singer laughed. Russel was already eating. His big appetite wasn't able to wait for Noodle and 2D.
The two band mates joined Russel at the table
"So, where's – Murdoc?" Russel asked, between chews.
"Well – uh... In 'is 'bago. He didn't wanna come fer dinner," 2D replied.
"Good," Russel grumbled.
2D sighed, supporting his head with his hand. "Russ... Yew told me yew was gonna try an' be nice ta Muds."
"I'm tryin' ta be nice to his face. That don't mean I can't be mean behind his back, ight?" Russel smiled a toothy grin.
Noodle laughed at that. 2D didn't. He didn't find it funny whatsoever. 2D sighed.
"Can you not take a joke, man?" Russel asked.
"It wozn't funny though."
"Noodle thought it was."
2D narrowed his eyes at Russel.
"Aw, come on, 2D-san. Russel was only joking. And it was supposed to be funny."
"You fink everyone 'ating each other is funny?" 2D asked the both of them.
"I never said that," Noodle whispered.
"Neither did I," Russel said, watching 2D closely.
"Yew were implyin' it, Russ," 2D muttered, shaking his head.
"I wasn't trying to," Russel retorted.
"See! I jus' 'ate this! I 'ate all of the fightin'!" 2D exclaimed.
"We don't fight that much, 'D. You know that. Yer just sick of fightin' wit Murdoc."
"I know we don' – wait, wot?" 2D stopped dead in his tracks.
"Yer sick of fightin' wit Murdoc," Russel repeated.
"Wot?" 2D asked. His brain wasn't receiving the message.
"Me an' Noods never fight. I barely ever fight wit you. Me an' Muds occasionally fight, but still not tha' much. Noodle never fights wit anyone. You on the other hand, are a lil' different, 'D. You never fight wit Noodle. You barely fight wit me. And then – BAM! You're always fighting wit dat damn Satanist!"
"R-really?" 2D asked.
"Thas' why yer noticin' all the lil' fights! It's 'cos you're always in a big one!"
2D got up quickly and went over to the counter. He rested his hands on the smooth surface, looking down at the counter top.
"Damn it!" 2D snapped, and he hit the counter with his fist.
"S' alright, 'D."
"No, it's not!" 2D hissed, turning around quickly, glaring at his band mates. "I'm causin' all the crap 'ere! S' me!"
"It is not, 2D. We all do a little something to cause trouble," Noodle murmured.
"It really ain't all you 'D. Murdoc stirs everything up too."
2D shook his head, leaning back against the counter.
"I thought Gorillaz woz gonna be perfect. But it isn't!" 2D squealed.
Russel smirked lightly. "Gorillaz ain't perfect. Never will be. We're one of those crazy, psychotic bands."
"True," 2D smiled slightly. "But do ya know wot I mean?"
"You thought that the four of us would be the best of friends and never fight."
"Exactly!" 2D said, pointing at Noodle.
"Well, all bands fight 'D," Russel chuckled.
"We 'ave 'orrible fights though! Like bad bad bad ones! They probably neva do!"
"I wouldn't say that, man. All bands probably have fights like we do. Now come back over here and eat. This took a while to cook."
2D slowly walked back over to the table and sat down in his chair.
"Sorry Russ and Noods," 2D muttered, going for his food.
"S' okay 'D," Russel smiled. Noodle nodded.
XXX
"Do I get ta see yer picture now?" 2D asked, as he sat down on her bed.
"Nope."
"Wot? Why not?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"First..." She dragged a chair in front of 2D. "You have to tell me about the Murdoc thing."
"Oh."
He watched her leap onto the stool. She smiled at him.
"You can start," she said calmly.
"Well – uh... One secon'. I don't really know where ta start..."
She nodded and he looked up at the ceiling.
"Well – first off... 'E wanted ta tell me summfin' important. So, I said 'okay, tell me.' Then 'e didn't wanna and 'e left. That woz last night. Today, I asked yew guys, bein' yew and Russ, where 'e woz an' yew guys didn't know, so I then checked 'is 'bago. 'E woz in there, all curled up on 'is bed. An' then I asked 'im wot was wrong an 'e kept tellin' me ta get out. I never did leave. I asked 'im wot woz wrong again and 'e said sorry. And I said, 'Wot?' 'cos I couldn't believe my ears. 'E told me 'e was apologizin' fer everyfin'. Fer all those time's 'e hurt me. Includin' the 8-Ball Fracture fing. I asked 'im why didn't 'e tell me this stuff las' night. 'E said that wozn't wot 'e woz actually gonna say. Then we argued about it. 'Cos 'e wouldn't tell me wot 'e was actually gonna say. Then I finally convinced 'im. 'E then kept askin', 'Are ya really sure?' I kept noddin' at 'im. 'E then stood up and grabbed my shirt an' pinned me up against one of 'is cupboards. Then 'e said, 'No, I can't.' So, I started gettin' mad from tha' point on 'cos 'e said 'e woz gonna tell me an' then alluva sudden 'e said no. 'E started tellin' me ta leave again and I kept saying like – 'No, not 'til ya tell me yer secret.' Then 'e threatened to – er... break my nose. 'E was holdin' 'is 'and up ta my face an' then he turned away. 'E said 'get out' really quietly. 'E sounded really sad, so I left 'cos I thought I woz really hurtin' 'im. As I jumped outta the Winne, I tripped mid-air an' scraped my face all across the cement. Then I went into my room and laid there finkin'. I started finkin' 'cos I thought I 'urt Murdoc, so I wanted ta fink about it..."
2D trailed off with his tale, not saying anymore. He looked at Noodle slowly and she looked back at him.
"That is how you hurt your face?" Noodle asked quietly.
"Yeah. No joke."
"What do you think is wrong with Murdoc?"
"I dunno. M' pretty sure s' about me. Dunno why. M' guessin'." 2D shrugged.
"Maybe he will get over it?" Noodle asked.
"Mmm... I dunno. I've neva seen 'im like tha'. Yew know how 'e is. Rude and boastful n' stuff... But, when I saw 'im – wow. I don' even know 'ow to explain it to yew. 'E jus' seemed so – sad. It wozn't like 'im at all, Noodle. It scared me a lot. It worried me. An' I fink s' my fault."
"It probably is not, 2D. Don't be so paranoid," Noodle reassured.
"But seriously. It made me worry for 'im, Noodle. Since when do people – especially me – worry for 'im?"
"I don't know. It is a little weird. But, it will pass," Noodle said quietly.
2D shook his head and bit his lip. "I fink yer wrong."
He slowly looked away from Noodle. Still biting his lip, he sighed through his nostrils. 2D covered his face with his big hands.
"I know woteva is wrong wif 'im is my fault. I know it, Noodle," he moaned. "I know."
"You know for sure?" she asked.
He nodded slowly, looking back at her face.
"Soon then, you should try to talk to him again."
2D nodded again.
"So, do you want to see my picture?" she asked.
2D noticed the change in subject but, it didn't bother him. He didn't feel like talking about Murdoc anymore. It made him feel sad.
He nodded eagerly at her.
Noodle smiled, and got off of the stool. She stood beside 2D and then got on her hands and knees, searching under her bed. He watched her closely, as she reached and searched.
She finally pulled out a flat, white sheet of paper. She held it close to her chest.
"Promise not to laugh?" she asked, titling her head.
He smiled crookedly. "As long as it's not a comic."
"Be serious."
"Okay. I promise, Noods. I won't laugh, wotsoeva," he whispered, looking right into her eyes.
She smiled slightly. "Okay. I trust you."
Noodle handed the paper over to 2D. He looked at the blank side for a moment and then turned it around.
It was Noodle and 2D on the paper. She had drawn them sitting on a couch. Noodle was sitting on his lap and it looked like she was telling him something. He was laughing.
2D looked away from the paper and at Noodle. He did that two more times.
"So?" she asked, standing on her toes so that she could see the drawn picture.
"I –" He lost his breath. It felt like someone has punched him in the stomach.
"How is it Mr. Judge?" Noodle giggled, looking at his awe-filled face.
"Can I – keep it?" he whispered, eyes still wide as he stared down at the paper.
"You like it?"
He nodded and his mouth dropped open. "I luv it."
"Then you can have it, 2D-san," she smiled.
He got up quickly and hugged her tightly.
"Thank yew so much. Yew don' know 'ow much this means ta me," he whispered, closing his eyes hard.
"You are welcome, 2D. But you are kind of crushing me..."
"Oh, m' sorry!"
2D pulled away and looked down at the disgruntled guitarist. He smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his blue hair.
He looked back at the picture and beamed.
"S' really good, Noodle. It looks exactly like me!" he exclaimed, looking back at her.
"It's good that you like it."
"Are yew sure I can 'ave it?"
"Of course. It's only a little drawing."
"Don' say tha'! S' awesome!" he said, looking at the picture again. "Maybe yew should colour it for me?"
"Want to colour it too?"
"I can't colour," he laughed. "I never did colour."
"It doesn't matter. At least you can try, right?" she asked, going down on her hands knees reaching under her bed again. She pulled out a box of crayons. "Come on! It is fun! You will like it."
"Fine," he snorted.
She grabbed a clipboard off of her side table and she sat on the ground. 2D joined her and she set the drawing on the clipboard. Noodle opened the crayon box. She pulled out a cerulean blue.
"I colour you. You colour me," she whispered, starting to colour in 2D's hair on the paper.
"Awright," he murmured, lying down on his stomach. He grabbed the crayon box and pulled out a purple crayon. 2D started colouring Noodle's hair. "So, wot are yew tellin' me?"
"What?" she asked, still colouring.
"In the picture. Wot are yew telling me?"
"Oh, I don't know..." she giggled.
"Must be summfin' funny. It looks like I'm laughin'," 2D smiled, pulling out a pink crayon to colour in her shirt.
"Maybe. I don't really know. I just drew you laughing, because that's when your smile is biggest. I like it when you smile."
2D smiled a wide, toothy smile and she giggled.
"I mean – a real smile. From the bottom of your heart. Not a goofy one."
He smiled, softer this time. His lips pulled into a tight line.
"That one is better. But, I do like it when I see your teeth."
"Yew do?" He cocked an eyebrow.
"Hai."
"Why?"
"I like seeing them. And then I know it's a true smile too."
"They're really bad though. So, why would yew like seein' 'em?" 2D whispered.
She shrugged. "I still don't mind them."
"I'm missin' tons of teeth. Some are even yellow," he said, furrowing his eyebrows. He stuck his tongue out, as he tried hard to stay within the lines of the drawn Noodle's shirt.
"You should brush them then."
"I do."
"Not often enough, I suppose?"
He laughed, looking up at her. She smiled.
"There was that smile," she murmured, looking into his dark eyes.
"Really?" he asked, still smiling.
She nodded.
"I didn't even notice," he snickered.
"Nobody does. Genuine smiles come to us all of the time and we don't even notice them."
2D nodded. "True."
"That is why we need a camera to capture them!" she smiled.
"Yeah. Then we can get some real smiles in some photos, instead of the fake ones," he added.
She laughed and continued colouring. He started again too.
He found himself sticking his tongue out again. His eyes were narrowed as he tried concentrating on not messing up.
"I thought – yew wouldn't – like me," 2D murmured, stilling keeping his tongue out.
"Really?"
"Well, jus' 'cos my looks. An' personality. An' age. Everyfin' – actually..."
"I don't find anything wrong with you, 2D-san. You are perfect the way you are."
"...Fine. Yew can say that, but I won't ever fink it."
"Why not?"
"Well, I fink I'm ugly beyond repair," he laughed. "Teeth, 'air, eyes, scars, really – everyfin'."
"You know what I think? I think it makes you uniquely handsome," she said softly.
"Uniquely handsome? Is tha' possible?" he chuckled.
"In your case, I believe it is. Blue hair. Don't you find it neat? I don't know anybody else with that colour! And your eyes! I have never seen another with the 8-Ball Fracture. In both eyes too! Your teeth – I still love them, no matter what. And your scars... It's not your fault. It is Murdoc's. Most of them are barely noticeable anyway. And you do heal very well. And like Murdoc said in Rise of the Ogre, 'A blue-haired, black-eyed God!'"
"Wait – wot? Yew actually read that fing?" 2D questioned.
"Well, of course! That interview took a while, so I wanted to see Cass' words on paper. He did quite a good job. Got everything down that we had said! It was a real joy to read!"