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Noodle had fallen back asleep with Mike curled up at her side. 2D had came in to check on her after breakfast to find her fast asleep. He smiled remembering the old times when she first arrived at Kong and he would have to literally fight the little girl to go to bed. He had gotten a few bruises from that. Careful not to wake her or the monkey up, he draped a small throw blanket over her, making sure to cover her bare feet. He kissed her on the forehead and whispered, "thank you," before he shut off the lights and gently closed the door. He was heading back to the lounge humming a new tune that had came into his head that morning as he lied in Murdoc's small bed and waited for him to wake up. He began to dance to his own rhythm now, his long limbs awkwardly moving at different angles. He was in his own little musical world and he was happy. Everything was turning out ok. Sure, breakfast was a little awkward with Russel, but he knew that the drummer would come to terms and get over it. Dancing his way down the corridor he didn't notice the subject that had vaguely came into his mind approach him, also caught up into his own world of who knows what. The two collided in the middle of the corridor, sending 2D flying back onto his ass. He looked up at the dazed Russel.
"Er...'ello, Russ."
Russel looked down at the blue haired singer and watched him gather himself up, dust himself off, and get up. he furrowed his eyebrows in thought, "'D?"
"Yea?"
"What's going on between you and Muds?" asked Russel, "Apparently I missed something or I'm just plain stupid."
2D clasped his large hands together, "Murdoc and I are together!" he piped happily, "isn't it wonderful?"
Russel raised an eyebrow, "What exactly do you mean by 'together?'"
"We're a couple now!" stated 2D, his toothless smile growing. "A least -- I fink -- well -- last night -- erm...oh..um..." he looked down.
"I don't even want to know about last night," muttered Russel.
"'E said 'e didn' want it tah be a one night stand," said 2D tapping his finger tips together, "fink tha' means somefing?"
"Boy," said Russel placing a fist on the wall to lean against, "you really that stupid?"
Sure, Russel found it awkward, 2D and Murdoc together...who in their right mind wouldn't? However, he was scared for 2D. Murdoc had all kinds of tricks and satanic magic up his sleeves. Who knew what he was trying to pull now? Plus, after all these years of beatings and threats, why did Murdoc suddenly turn to 2D and go down on him all in the matter of a night? Russel shuddered at the images involuntarily coming into his mind. He closed his eyes and shook his head to try to clear his mind.
"Wot?" asked 2D, one of his eyes twitching, "am I missin' somefing?"
"Jus' be careful, 'D," advised Russel, "you don't know what that old geezer is up to these days. I bet he'll have another girl at Kong by tonight."
"No, no," said 2D shaking his head, "'e won't! 'E said he didn't want jus' a one ni-"
"How many times has Murdoc lied to you?" asked Russel filling the gap between him and the singer just by a little.
"Um..." 2D looked down at his feet.
"I just don't want that son of a bitch hurting you again," said Russel.
O.K, end of conversation for Russel. He playfully punched 2D on the shoulder and continued his way down the corridor. 2D stood there bewildered, rubbing his shoulder, with more thoughts in his brain than he thought he could possibly have. Maybe Russel was right...or just down right against him and Murdoc. He clung his hands to the side of his head, feeling a headache coming on from all the thinking. He had to get the thoughts out quick before a migraine came along. Without realizing it, he felt his long legs taking him down to the car park.
"Murdoc?"
Tap, tap, tap
No reply but the lights were still on in the Winnebago.
"Murdoc?"
The door flew open and barely missed 2D's face.
"Wot ya want?" asked Murdoc, cigarette hanging from his lips.
"Russel said t'at.." 2D started and looked up at Murdoc, lazily taking a drag on his cigarette. He still hadn't put a shirt on. 2D licked his lips, "I want tah know some fings if ya don' mind..."
Murdoc left the doorway of the Winnebago and 2D followed after him and carefully closed the damaged door behind him. Murdoc threw himself into one of the red velvet chairs and 2D sat on the sofa. It was a recreation of the day before when 2D had first entered the trailer. He found himself nervous again.
"Muds?"
"Wot?"
"It wasn' jus' a one nigh' stand, right?" 2D had to look down at his opened hands...at his freakishly large palms...he couldn't looked up into those mismatched eyes without his nerves wrenching every which way in his stomach.
"I told ya I didn' want one," said Murdoc, his arm drooped lazily over the side of the chair as he dropped the cigarette and let it burn into the floor.
"Russel said t'at ya we're jus' gonna 'urt me...," continued 2D, still searching for a complete and full answer, "'e didn' know exactly why you became so nice after all the...well, mistreatment."
"This is all going in fuckin' circles!" cried Murdoc. "Listen, 2D, Stu-pot, Stuart," he moved next to him on the sofa, "I know this isn' like me at all. 'Owever, I 'ad to think it all over. My life is 'alf way, or more than 'alf way, over. I don't wanna waste any more time with meaningless whorehouse women. I wanna be with someone that'll actually care about me," he slid an arm around 2D's shoulders, "I 'ated you, you brainache. I realli did...I had to fuckin' carry you around for what seemed like ages! Not exactly a chick magnate either, if ya know what I'm sayin'. Then I got ta know ya, and it scared the 'ell out of me..I 'ad feelings for a man after a while. Why do ya think I beat ya? I was...confused," It wasn't easy for Murdoc Niccals to express his feels like this, he could feel a thin l layer of sweat start to form over his forehead. He hated times like these, he really did. And this was the second time in twenty-four hours...he just couldn't get a break! He sighed and continued on, "an' when I found out that you...had feelings...back," he swallowed, "yea...it was nice. An' last night," he had to grin to himself, "it wasn't meaningless that time!"
2D gave a toothless smile, "But Russel kept sayin.."
"Who the fuck cares wot that fat ass thinks?" cried Murdoc. "Get it outta your 'ead, 2D. You and me, together, officially. I'm not gonna 'urt you in anyway anymore...well, maybe in a couple ways," he gave a small perverted grin to himself, "but not breaking ya body or ya 'eart, got it?"
2D relaxed and rested into Murdoc's body. Murdoc leaned over and kissed 2D on the forehead. The singer couldn't help but to smile. Deep down he knew that Murdoc had contained a softer side to him, one that offered empathy, love, and a partner. Someone just had to find it and yank it out of him, 2D was surprised it had turned out to be him.
"Wot ya smilin' at?" asked Murdoc.
"Who's askin' the questions now?" quipped 2D.
"I been bloody tellin' ya e'erythin' on my mind, and now you won't e'en answer one of my questions?" asked Murdoc gently smacking 2D on the back of the head.
"Jus' 'appy," replied 2D with yet another smile.
Murdoc nodded and ran his fingers through 2D's hair. 2D gave out a happy sigh as a thank you.
"Yo, Muds!"
The New Yorker's voice was obvious as it echoed through the carpark.
"Should I 'ide?" asked 2D quickly looking up at Murdoc, a feeling of uneasiness circled in his 'eyes.'
Murdoc shook his head, "No, stay righ' w'ere ya are."
"We need to talk!" Russel called out, as if it were a warning to the Satanist before he burst through the door, "Yo up to--" he stopped to see Murdoc and 2D cuddled on the sofa.
"Wot do ya want?" asked Murdoc pulling 2D a little closer to himself.
"Wot you doin' to 'D?" asked Russel shifting his weight.
"We were jus' talkin'," 2D chimed in, "'bout wot ya said tah me...Murdoc isn't gonna 'urt me...said so 'imself, right, Muds?"
Murdoc glared at Russel and nodded slightly, "Tha's right."
"Not easy fir 'im to express 'is emotions either, Russ," said 2D, "an' he spilled 'is 'eart out, 'e did! Very sweet too..."
Murdoc would have pummeled 2D two days ago if he were to say that about him to Russel now. It was still embarrassing to have an act that he had performed called 'sweet,' but if it would get the tub of lard off his case...
"If I ever see you hurt because of him, 'D," Russel went on, "I'll kill the motherfucker."
2D's 'eyes' widened a little, "Don' kill Muds..."
Russel gave Murdoc a last glance, "we have practice in an hour," he announced before he tromped down the Winnebago's stairs and slammed the door shut.
2D looked up at Murdoc, "This is gonna 'urt teh band, isn't it?"
Murdoc shook his head, "Not if I can 'elp it, love." He pulled 2D in between his opened legs and wrapped his arms around his lower stomach, "Jus' gotta get fatty used to us."
"'Ow?"
"Play along wit' me at practice, awright, brainache?"
---
Russel sat behind his drums, fuming. It wasn't right...2D and Murdoc together. It just didn't work out to him. First off, they had been put together under force by law. Murdoc hated him from the start. Second off, Murdoc had tried to get rid of 2D so many times. Third, they constantly went at it when it came to fights. No matter how many times he tried to accept it in his mind, another excuse, new or old, would come to counter it. He finished tuning his drums and warming up and turned to the guitarist, the only other band mate in the room.
"Are you really O.K with 2D and Murdoc being together?" he asked her as she tuned the D string on her guitar by ear.
"Shhhh, Russel-kun," she muttered plucking the string a bit louder. She did not wish to discuss this with Russel anymore. If he couldn't come to terms with it by himself than he never would. Murdoc wouldn't be scared to get a new drummer...and Noodle feared of losing her father-like figure. He had to come to get over his fear soon...and Noodle thought if he had to do so on his on, then it would be quicker. She could help him by ignoring the topic completely. The D string was finally tuned and the Axe Princess moved onto G, pretending for it to be a difficult task for her, even though she knew that Russel had known for a long time she could tune her guitar by ear in seconds. Russel sighed and began playing the simple beat to Clint Eastwood to loosen himself up a bit more. The song made him miss Del a bit...he would have been help in this situation. He shook his head. No. He was not going to remember Del right now and how painful that year apart from the band and losing him was. A new situation was at hand that required his attention. He looked up and noticed that Noodle was playing along with him. She looked back at him and smiled.
"...Feelin' glad
I got sunshine
In a Bag
I'm useless
But not for long..."
Murdoc burst into the room with 2D close behind him, "Awright, Awright!" The song stopped. "'Nough of that...serious business today...got a concert in three weeks an' we suck righ' now, jus' puttin' it out there, we're rusty. No one lea's teh room 'til we're all perfect."
"Wos the set?" asked 2D walking over to his keyboard and positioning the mike to come in front of his mouth. Murdoc picked up his bass, "I was 'opin' someone wouldda thought 'bout that by now."
"You always pick the set, Murdoc-sama," Noodle mentioned from her corner as she jumped up onto a steel stool that was painted purple and placed her guitar over her right leg.
"Righ'...righ'..." said Murdoc stroking the stubble hair on his chin, "Start off wif Dare, Dirty 'Arry, Tomorrow Comes Today, Clint Eastwood, 'Appy Landfill, Starshine, Rock it, Kids With Guns, El Manaña, Five Four, Rock The House,Left 'And Suzuki Method, Faust, Sound Check, 19-2000, and finish 'er off wif Feel Good Inc."
"What about the collaborators?" asked Noodle, "for Dare, Dirty Harry, and Feel Good Inc? And the songs with Del?"
"Give 'em a call after practice," muttered Murdoc as he started to tune his base. "As fir Del, eh, Russ, take 'is part."
Russel didn't like this idea. Del had taught him the parts before he had to go...but still, it made him uneasy.
"That's not many songs from Demon Days," Russel pointed out after a minute of thinking the songs through, "won't the crowd be disappointed?"
"Our real fans won't," snarled Murdoc as he harshly plucked the last string on his base, "Let's start from teh top...Dare."
Noodle rolled her eyes as she jumped back off the stool and walked over to the spare mike in the room. It was way too tall for her since 2.D had last used it so she adjusted it before her part came up and sang into it with all her heart, trying to get through the song just once and not have to practice it over and over again. About two thirds through the song though, Murdoc slammed down his bass.
"Wot the 'ell, Russ!" cried Murdoc.
"Wot?"
"You're fucking messin' up the drumming!"
"No, I'm not, man!'
Noodle sighed, "He did fine!"
"Thank you, Noodle girl," said Russel glaring at Murdoc.
"Awrigh', awrigh'," said 2D, "e'ery fing wos fine...les' jus' take it from teh chorus and continue on."
Murdoc grumbled a little but they picked back up right where 2D suggested. They were able to play through the songs alright until they reached Star Shine. Noodle started playing the spooky guitar notes with perfection as she sat on her stool, slumped over her guitar. Since there wasn't any bass parts for most of the song, or so Murdoc remembered so, he leaned his precious instrument against the wall. He looked over at Russel real quick, who also didn't have much of a big roll in the song. Perfect. He strolled over behind 2D and glanced up at Russel again and gave himself a reassuring smile. He breathed in and then wrapped his hands around 2D's waist. 2D smiled, revealing his missing teeth to the blank wall. Russel raised an eyebrow. Noodle kept playing the guitar, trying to ignore the situation. Murdoc pressed himself against 2D. 2D relaxed into Murdoc's body. Russel raised his other eyebrow. After raising up onto his toes to reach the side of the singer's neck, where Murdoc began to hungrily nibble and kiss. Russel felt his heart beat quicken a bit. The kisser quickly got more into his act, making every press with his lips against the singer's skin more passionate and deep. 2D's body trembled and involuntarily he moaned into the microphone. A think gleam of sweat covered Russel's face now and he began drumming his fingers on his lap, feeling more uncomfortable by the second, looking around the room for a diversion. The guitarist kept up with the song, the only one who was, and 2D's singing part was coming up and he knew it. He had his eyes closed, his breathing was quick fingers still strumming the keyboard, but he wanted them on the bassist's body. He heard the note on which he should have started singing and he tried, oh lord, he did try to get his voice to kick into the song, but his body wouldn't let him as he turned around, grabbed Murdoc, pulled him as close as possible, and kissed him hard. Murdoc not expecting this, lost his balance, and the pair toppled over, knocking over the mike and taking down the keyboard with a loud crash and musical notes flying everywhere. Noodle's guitar playingstopped suddenly and Russel had jumped up onto his feet behind his drums. Murdoc sat up from the mess, leaving 2D still lying in the mess that was formally his keyboard. All three of the band members in the room snapped their attention to Russel for his reaction.
A.N: Yayyy gotta 'nother chapter done for you guys! What do you think? Yay...nay? I have an excellent idea for the next chapter that I'm really excited about! I have a new goal too! Reach 20 reviews! ohhh! Also, check out my new one shot...Love's Hangover. hehe...shameless advertising...