The mask slipped from 2D's hands, falling with a clatter to the floor.

"Noodle…" he breathed.

Feathery layers of purplish black hair fell gently around her face, framing her features. Her face, once round like a child's, was now sculpted into a feminine shape. Her curves had filled out as well has her lips, painted a rosy pink.

2D considered pinching himself, but decided against it. If what was happening was really a dream, he wouldn't want to wake up anyway. He'd dreamt countless times of his long lost friend and the day they would be reunited. He'd never imagined, however, the beautiful young woman the teen would grow into. He felt a pang of sadness as he thought of all the lost years he could have spent with her, talked with her, witnessed her stunning metamorphosis.

Then he remembered her emerald green eyes that hadn't changed since they first met. He felt like if he could only gaze into them, he'd get a glimpse of the past he so desperately wanted to be included in. "Is it wreally you, love?" whispered 2D as he gently swept her bangs from her eyes. Pain shot through his heart as he caught sight of her damaged eye. It wasn't so much the appearance that bothered him, but that it was proof Noodle had suffered immensely. If he had only known where she was…His thoughts drifted and it wasn't long before he was transfixed in her beauty again."I smell butterscotch…" Noodle suddenly murmured in her sleep.

2D's heart jumped in his throat and realized how close to her face he was. Before he could pull away, Noodle's emerald eyes opened.

Neither of them moved nor spoke. 2D's black orbs were fixed on Noodle's green ones. The moment was surreal, and silence enveloped them both. It seemed like anything could happen at that moment. The whale could pop out of the window and do a jig and neither of them would be that surprised. After almost a minute, Noodle lifted a trembling hand his cheek, slowly, carefully, as if any sudden movements would wake her up from a dream. 2D finally opened his mouth to say something, but suddenly a lump formed in his throat and tears sprung to his eyes. He couldn't believe he was about to cry in front of his dearest friend that he hadn't seen in half a decade. He swallowed hard and said the first thing that popped into his mind. "G-g'mornin dawling!" he said with his gappy smile, his voice cracking slightly. It was late afternoon. A smile slowly crept on Noodle's face. "Mornin," Noodle half sobbed, half laughed as she flung herself into 2D's arms.

She buried her head in his chest and let muffled, tearful cries of joy escape her throat. "2D!.....2D!.....Ohisashiburi 2D….!" "Osashimi..sushisashimiburi yourself," said 2D, fumbling the Japanese word. Noodle giggled and lifted her flushed, tear streaked face from his chest. "Long time no see," she smiled. 2D's stomache flipped and gazed in awe at the girl.

He gently brushed her bangs to the side of her forehead and smiled. "However the 'ell you got her, welcome back Noodle! I missed ya so much ev'wry day, I f'ought I was gonna-" Suddenly Noodle's hand flew to her face, realizing that her wound was exposed. A look of terror flashed across her face and she dropped her head. "Noodle-" "Where is my mask?" asked Noodle quietly. She felt around for it with her hands until she felt something cold and smooth on the floor. She didn't lift her head again until the mask was fastened tightly to her head.

Silence. "I am sorry you had to see that," said Noodle, shame and insecurity mingling in her voice. "See wot?" "You don't have to pretend it's not there…" sighed Noodle. She paused. "The huge repulsive bruise on the right side of my face." "OH yerr, that!" exclaimed 2D as if he had won a question on jeopardy. Noodle hung her head. "Love, I wouldn't be repuw'lsed by you even if you…" 2D shuddered, "even if you had a whale next to ya or sumfink." He could almost see the look of exasperation behind Noodle's mask. "Erm…w'right…" 2D began, sensing she was unsatisfied, "Don't eva think yer anything less than beautiful." "This is not true," said Noodle, her voice muffled by the mask. "Noodle!" said 2D, raising his voice, "Don't eva say that! You're the most beautiful fing I've eva seen!" He then realized what he had just said and turned an impressive shade of red.

Noodle peeked from behind her mask and eyed 2D curiously for a minute. "You always have had such a big heart…to look past all of my faults and see…just me." "Wot faults?" 2D grinned goofily. Noodle's head dropped again. 2D began to frantically wonder what he had said wrong, but then he saw her reach slowly for the strap that held the mask to her head. The mask fell to her lap, and she looked up bashfully. "Just around you, 2D…" said Noodle.

"Awright, dawling!"

Noodle's serious expression turned into a playful one as she very gently laid a finger on 2D's own black eye that he got from knocking himself out.

"We match."