There wasn't much he could say for mornings, aside from the occasional four-letter word. Murdoc wanted to roll over and go back to sleep. But, he knew for a fact they had to practice that day. It was in the fucking planner Noodle had given him for Christmas the year before, the one that he used just to keep her happy.
Stretching out, he felt around to wake the body beside him, only to find it gone. Smiling to himself, he rolled out of bed to look for a semi-clean shirt. One-night stands were a pain in the ass to get out the door, but lucky for him, this one knew what to do. Pretty little red-head, too. If he saw her again, she'd be good for a night.
He needed coffee. Stepping out of the Winnebago, whose kitchen had long been the most hazardous laboratory of inconclusive, accidental experiments known to man, he headed for the house kitchen. Noodle blinked at his entrance.
"Murdoc?"
"'Lo, Noodle." He grumbled, plopping down on the chair across from her. She hurriedly got to her feet, scrambling to get him some coffee before she did anything. He was never pleasant without caffeine. Setting his mug down on the table, she quickly filled it with black coffee.
A gulp of coffee, and Murdoc was awake and sour as ever. The sound of scuffling footsteps awakened him to the arrival of 2D, who was always a little more brain-dead in the morning. He blinked at the sight. The boy was disheveled, hair sticking out more than usual, morning shave a little shoddy. He looked like he'd been tossing and turning all night.
He eyed 2D carefully, taking another gulp. It had been a week since he'd caught him sneaking out. Neither of them had said a word about it, of course. He was sure it was not something 2D wanted anyone to know about. But, honestly, he'd never considered the prospect. 2D, with something to hide? He wasn't smart enough to do anything remotely worth shame, was he?
He watched as the younger man practically fell into his chair, poking at the bowl in front of him. "'Ey, Noodle, where's my cereal?"
The girl dropped 2D's favorite box of sugar-riddled morning food in front of him. She looked a little nervous at the fact that Murdoc was actually joining them for breakfast. She had the right to be. The guitarist hadn't been seen at the table since the last millennium.
Ignoring Noodle's ever-worried stare, he gulped down the rest of his coffee and watched 2D pour his cereal. He looked wiped out. Exhausted. Like he had no sleep. Funny. He'd looked like that the day before, too. And the day before that. And the day before that…
"What's wrong with you lately, Brain-Freeze?"
Russel, who had just come down the stairs, turned to look at him in shock. Noodle blinked, trying to keep her face calm. 2D didn't seem to hear him at first. Then, slowly picked his head up from his bowl of untouched cereal. "Wha…?" He shook his head a moment to try and break from sleep. "Nuthin', Muds. Just tired, that's all."
"You went to bed at eight last night." He poured himself another cup. "Shouldn't be so tired."
"Well, you know how it is…" He looked back down at his cereal. Stirring the flakes around in the milk, his eyes followed their movements sluggishly. Was he already stoned that morning? He'd have to check those prescription bottles.
Not that I care… He thought bitterly, breathing in the scent of fresh black coffee.
Behind the deadness in his eyes, 2D's mind was racing.
That had to have been the longest conversation he and Murdoc had shared in about five months. He was glad he had perfected the 'soulless eyes' routine. Now, nobody knew whether he was thinking or not. Not even Noodle, who was usually practically empathic. It was all in his face, and his reputation.
He knew the fact that he was often heavily medicated attributed to how the world viewed him. A hollow, ghostly voice, whose tunes were the only intelligent outlet for a mind that was little more than dead. He almost liked it. But, then again… He was still smart. He just…
What? Just What?
He was just…
Just What, Dumbass?
Just stupid, he guessed. If he couldn't give a reason for his lack of intelligence, what else did that make him?
Damn Right…
He stared at his cereal, not feeling as hungry as he'd felt before. Murdoc's eyes were drilling holes into his skull. Maybe he liked that. Okay, so he did. Not that the guitarist was ever going to know. Even if the bastard was now scrutinizing him like he was a slide under a microscope. He wondered what he'd done to deserve such attention.
Sighing, he chugged his coffee and gave Murdoc a sardonic grin that he was sure everyone would believe.
Only problem being, Murdoc's eyes still screamed Liar…
SORRY! I never update this slow, just so you guys know. It's just school. Hellish experience? Yes. But I like this story too much to give it up.