Okay, so here's chapter twenty-six, and I'm not proud of it, but hey, at least Noodle and 2D aren't trying to kill each other anymore, eh? Anyhow, I'm sad to say it's kinda short, but it's decent I guess. I'll get to work on the next chapter. Pleaselet me know what you think of it… seriously, every opinion counts, and makes me feel better when I think I wrote another crappy chappie. You guys are awesome.
On another note, I'm taking my ASVAB this Wednesday, of March 15th. This is the very first test I have ever studied for in my entire life. Seriously. I've never done it before. But the only reason I'm doing it is because 1: the score I get determines my future, LITERALLY! And 2: a lot of the test is dedicated to mechanical things like cars and electricity, and I have to be honest in saying I don't know much about it…
Or at least I didn't. I guess a week's worth of studying for at least 4 hours at a time really pays off. I know I can score far above what is needed for the job I want, but I want to do this mostly to prove to myself that I can get an amazing score on this test. Anyhow, I just really ask that you guys all pray for me. I'm gonna need it to get through this test without having some sort of meltdown or spontaneously combusting. This test is the very gateway to my future, and it scares the crap out of me, and this is no exaggeration. So please, and thank you for your support, especially you Nicky-Rockit, SweetCherryCandy, and of course Wordwryhta. I'll let you all know how I did when I get my scores.
On that note, enjoy your read…
A warm grin played itself out on 2D's face as he found peace in his slumber for the first time in as long as he could remember. He could still feel her lips against his own, and the way her body trembled lightly against him. It made his heart soar, and his soul feel light. He was at peace, but he could fast feel his most wonderful dream slipping away. His smile wavered, his face becoming blank as he left his fantasy realm, and was forced back into the world of consciousness. But, he could still feel her warmth in his arms, so he pulled his last shred of dream closer, holding it to his chest dearly. He wouldn't allow it to escape… he didn't want to let go.
Tears began to build beneath his closed eyes as he continued to slip away, and he whined quietly, not wanting her to leave him again. He pulled her closer, praying that he wouldn't have to wake and find her gone once more. But he froze when he heard someone sigh tiredly, and he grimaced when he realised he was now fully awake. A single tear escape his eyelid, crawling across his cheek, quickly absorbed by the pillow his head rested upon. Confusion clouded his mind when he still felt a presence within his arms, so finally, he opened his eyes, waiting for the blurry remains of sleep to fade away to give him a clear view of the abnormally bright room he found himself in. Slowly, 2D's eyes wandered down, and he smiled affectionately down at Noodle as he found her sleeping in his arms. He was now lying on his back, but Noodle was still curled up against him. He hadn't been dreaming… Noodle really was with him… and he really did kiss her, but he had also hurt her, too. He pet her hair gently, watching her as she breathed in slowly, her head resting against his chest, with one arm curled into her own body, while her other was resting over 2D's stomach. 2D rolled onto his side, facing her, and she seemed to smile in her sleep as he pulled her into him once more, sighing as she nuzzled her face into his neck. With a grin, 2D wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head as he watched the last of the sunrise from outside the window.
After he had kissed her head, Noodle's mind began to race, trying to alert her that someone was touching her and she needed to find out who it was. But she didn't want to awaken. She didn't have to face the world when she slept. Unfortunately, she didn't have the luxury of being able to sleep in. Her body always woke her early, no matter how she protested. After minutes of fighting it, her eyelids finally fluttered open, and she gasped silently as she found herself in 2D's warm embrace. She remembered what had transpired the night before, and realised 2D knew she was truly Noodle. With a smile, Noodle wrapped her arms around 2D's neck, her body shuddering with new tears. 2D's body tensed when she pulled herself around him, and he became flustered as he heard her silent cries. He pulled away from her, tenderly holding her face in his hands. He brushed his fingers underneath her eyes as she looked up at him, her chest still shaking with supposed grief. He frowned, "Whot's wrong, love? Did yeh 'ave a bad dream," he asked in a hushed tone.
She shook her head, and hugged him close, sniveling as she buried her face into his neck again. "No, Stuart… I am happy…"
He grinned, moving his hands to her back as he looked down at her. "T'en why're yew cryin, love?"
"I am just happy… I am happy that I have you again… and that I am home," she told him.
2D took in a deep breath, smiling as he rubbed Noodle's back. He was just as jubilant with their resolve as her, but he hadn't known she had felt that way too. Again, his hands wandered to her face, pulling her away from him. His heart ached as he gazed down at her. With her red, tear-filled eyes, her bed-head of hair, her small smile upon her lips, 2D couldn't imagine anything more beautiful than her. He leaned forward, watching her eyes intently as he leaned in, and captured her lips with his own. She flinched, not expecting his sudden gesture, but she didn't refuse him. She was more than willing to make him happy, but feeling his lips against her own sent chills up her spine, and made her skin burn, slow but hot. After a second, he realised what he'd just done, and pulled away with a gasp, "I-I'm sorry, love. I-I didn't mean ta –"
She covered his mouth with her finger, and smirked at him, "It's fine, 2D-kun… Come, why don't we see if Russel-sama would be willing to cook for us…"
With a relieved smile, 2D sat up, and swiftly got off of the bed. "I'monna go ta me room an' get dressed," he told her. She nodded to herself as she dug through her drawers something decent to wear.
As soon as he left, Noodle's smile faded, and her face became void. She knew she cared deeply for her blue-haired singer, but not the way he felt for her. No, he loved her far more, and it broke her heart that she couldn't return his feelings. With a sigh, Noodle wandered down to her lounge, and into her lavatory, stripping her skin of clothing, but not before she locked the door of course. Once she was exposed, she walked into her shower, wincing with the floor's ice-cold touch under her feet, but it was soon forgotten when warm water enveloped her body.
Noodle pulled her now wet hair behind her ears as she wandered up the steps of the beach, her destination being the lift. As soon as it opened to allow her entrance, it seemed as thought she had forgotten how to use her feet. On his way to the kitchen, 2D had already been inside the lift, but it appeared as though Noodle accidentally cut him off. He offered her a smile as he looked her over. Being that her hair was wet, and pushed out of her face, 2D assumed correctly that she had just taken a shower. Noodle giggled quietly as she saw 2D, and stepped inside with him; his hair was wet as well, clinging everywhere to his face, and his clothes stuck to his skin. 2D smiled to himself, stunned with Noodle's change in demeanor. Last night, everything had seemed so dark, and scary, and now she stood by his side, a genuine smile on her face. He didn't know why or how it had happened, but he wasn't about to ask. This was what he had wanted… this was how it should have been the first night she had stayed on the island.
He took her hand, intertwining her fingers with his own once the lift signaled its arrival, and she grinned up at him shyly as he gazed down at her. Noodle allowed him to take her through the study, into the lounge. They both seemed to sigh reverently when the heavy scent from Russel's cooking hit them head on.
Russel heard them coming as soon as the door opened, but he was only expecting Noodle, being that 2D had been sleeping in until noon every day she was gone, and Murdoc always seemed to miss breakfast anyhow. He turned, filling her plate, and went to set it on the table, but the plate nearly slipped from his grip as he caught sight of the two now stepping into the kitchen. His jaw dropped as he stared at them, now holding hands as if 2D's fit hadn't happened at all yesterday. They began feeling somewhat awkward in Russel's gawking stare. He hadn't expected 2D to recover so quickly, let alone Noodle to once again be holding his hand and following him around like she did when she was young.
2D was the first to respond, pulling his free hand behind his head as he scratched himself nervously. "Erm… mornin, Russ."
Russel shook his head, trying to focus as 2D spoke. "Uh, morning, 'D…" He gave Noodle a worried look, and she caught his eye, nodding to him with a small grin. He seemed to relax a bit, and continued with his cooking. "Food's on da table, baby," he told her.
She let go of 2D's hand, who looked somewhat hurt, and walked up to Russel to peck him on the cheek, "Arigato, Russel-sama."
She took her place at the table, eating her food ravenously as 2D took a seat beside her. She guessed skipping most of her dinner the other day hadn't been a very wise choice. A moment later, Russel put another plate on the table, and pushed it towards 2D, who looked up at the drummer with a somewhat shocked grin. "Fanks, Russ."
Russel nodded and turned away, walking back towards the stove to clean his mess, and then enjoy his own breakfast. "No problem, man," he told 2D "M'just glad ta see you's back in yo own head." 2D looked away, chagrined and ashamed of his actions, though Russel only knew a small part of what had transpired the day before.
Noodle's face dropped as she saw 2D's expression, and she lifted her hand to 2D's shoulder, squeezing his arm. He looked to her and gave her a small smile, leaning in to chastely kiss her cheek before returning to the food in front of him. She flushed and looked away, staring down at the table in front of her. Russel hadn't missed their exchange from the corner of his eye, but he decided to save it for later, standing at the counter as he ate his own food.
A strange feeling overcame Noodle when she came close to being full. She looked around the room, observing everything silently, but neither of the two men in the room with her seemed to be phased. Goosebumps covered her from head to toe as the feeling set in, and she began to feel somewhat hot, though her skin was cold. She took a deep breath, trying to remain nonchalant as she stood to her feet, and promptly cleaned her dishes. She turned to Russel, who had been watching her every move since she had grown quiet. She bowed to him, then spoke, "I do not feel well, Russel-sama… I am going to excuse myself."
He smiled, then let out a small chuckle. "You don' need ta ask permission, baby-girl." She grinned back, then turned on her heal as she quickly left the room. 2D swallowed as he saw her leave, and was now on his own with Russel, but he was more concerned with why Noodle had left. Had he done something to upset her? Maybe she finally felt regret for forgiving him so easily… Maybe he was forcing himself upon her, and it was beginning to scare her… he could only sigh as he closed his eyes and prayed that none of his worries were valid.
The sound of Russel's unexpected voice made 2D cringe. "What's up, D? You alright, man?" He asked.
2D rubbed his arm, his face masked in pure abashment. He shook his head. "Um… I'm fine… Jus' los' I guess," he grinned innocently.
Russel seemed to smirk. "So, what's up wit' you two? I mean, yesterday, you were convinced Noodle, well, wasn't Noodle..."
2D's face became blank again, and he scratched his head in puzzlement, and worry. "Well… um… me an' 'er sorta talked…"
Russel's brow scrunched, "Whaddya mean talked?"
2D swallowed nervously. He couldn't reveal that he'd hurt Noodle, whether an accident or not, Russel would kill him. Or at least, that's how 2D saw it. He sighed, not wanting to go into detail, and praying that Russell wouldn't want any. "Well, actually… it wos more of an argument…"
The drummer seemed to relax with those words, but he was still suspicious. Arguments don't lead to two people holding hands like they wee smitten with one another… No, usually they ended up with someone getting hurt, physically or not. "An' what happened afta the arguin'?"
2D shrank back again, his hand twitching nervously on his lap. "Well… I-I jus'… she showed me she wosn' te cyborg, an' then I guess we 'ad an agreement," 2D shrugged, then nodded to himself. That was the truth… maybe not all of it, but it was the truth… He couldn't let Russel know he'd hurt Noodle… With his brow still scrunched, he wasn't fully convinced by 2D's story, but 2D wasn't displaying the classic signs that Russel would have expected, so maybe it was the truth. Whatever. He would just have to keep a watchful eye over them, and make sure they didn't kill one another. 2D seemed to let out a long-held breath as Russel's intimidations ceased, and the room between them grew quiet.
Noodle quickly made way to her lighthouse, her sanctuary, and personal hell it seemed. She moved her hand to her chest as she entered through the door, then closed it behind her. She swallowed back the bile she felt building in her chest, and tried to concentrate on her rapid breathing and raging pulse. She leaned against the door, then slowly slid to the ground, unable to find a proper lungful of air. The air smelled rotten, and dusty, sending a petrifying chill up her body. She shivered, and bit her tongue for something to concentrate on. Her hands moved to the side of her head as her vision began to cloud, and she closed her eyes, thoroughly flabbergasted by this moment she was experiencing. What was going on?
She opened her eyes again as a fiercely hot wind drew past her. Her face became pained when she saw Hell before, and she was now trapped in what seemed to be a box, with bars all around her. She refused to move. This couldn't be happening. Her head swam in too many directions to count as she tried to distract herself, but the cold touch of a grizzly claw on her outstretched leg quickly became top priority. She shrieked, huddling her body in on herself as she tried to remain in the middle of this cage. It was new, but all the feelings remained the same. She was trapped, terrified, and expectant of pain at any moment. She cursed when she realised she should have gone searching for the flick knife as soon as the delusions began to set in, but it was gone anyway, wasn't it? 2D had gotten rid of the damn thing after her little episodes and ongoing mission to kill him ceased. "Fuck," she muttered. "God damn, fucking, hell… pieces of shit… fuck…" She growled.
She saw him, and screamed, but quickly covered her mouth. He smiled at her impishly, then cackled. "What? Are you not thrilled to see me, dear little Noodle? I certainly am very pleased to see you once more. It seems like only yesterday I was dragging your lifeless body through the heaps of Kong's bowels, and then into Hell of course… Ah, those were the days… You know –"
"Urasai!" Noodle shouted, her expression painted with rage. "Shut you're ugly mug, you piece of rotting shit! I do not have anything for you, so leave! What am I to you?"
He smiled evilly, "Why, you're a game of course! What?... you didn't think you were actually important, did you? My, you were under extremely misguided pretenses weren't you, little Noodle." She snarled, curling her lips, though her body remained stationary, and she kept herself huddled in on herself, her arms shielding her head.
"You don't honestly believe he loves you, do you, dear little Noodle?" The Demon Boy asked. She remained quiet, her entire body quivering with overwhelming fear, and growing anger.
When it seemed he was becoming impatient, Noodle silently cleared her throat, her voice no longer aggressive, "What… what do you mean?"
"Stuart, little Noodle. You don't really believe he loves you," he stated matter-of-factly. "And you're right, sweet little Noodle. He doesn't." Her breathing hitched at his words, and her eyes became misted with hurt. He seemed to sneer at her distress, pacing back and forth around the area near her, but he never seemed to get close enough to touch, as if she had some sort of barrier around her. "He doesn't love you at all… No… he simply craves the touch of a woman… and well, you're the only one around," he said in a bone-chillingly disinterested tone.
"But… but he told me," Noodle tried.
He laughed again, "And you believed him?"
Noodle became serious, "Of course." Now her face dropped, "He's my best friend…"
The Demon Boy gave her a smug look, and then crossed his arms over his chest as he shook his head in pity. "My, you're much more stupid than I had believed. Maybe Murdoc had been wrong about you… Maybe we would've been better taking that blue-haired freak of yours."
Everything in her vision became misted in a bloody shade of red as his words reached her, and the decision she had made to not let anything get to her vanished into nothingness. She leered at him, standing to her feet, her cage seeming to evaporate, blowing away with the ash. "You will not touch him," she spoke dangerously.
The Demon Boy sniggered, "Do you intend to hurt me?"
She strode toward him boldly, her entire being vexed. She didn't know what would happen if she took him on, but she was willing to take the risk. Her hand reached out to him, but as soon as she came close, everything was gone. She shook her head, coughing as the dust seemed to leave her throat and chest, vanishing with everything else. She turned, and froze midstride when she saw Kazuno standing behind her. The girl stared up at her with unreadable eyes. They seemed to have frozen, no longer smoldering. "Noodle-chan… you are angry."
Guilt seemed to wash over Noodle as her expression became somber, and she bent down to her little companion. "I did not hurt you did I, imoto?" Kazuno shook her head, her face still passive. Noodle nodded, "I see… I am sorry… the demons just… I don't know… I guess I'm still not quite there yet, am I?"
"No," Kazuno told her, then let a small grin appear briefly, "But, at least you seem to not allow them to see your fear any longer… just do not let your anger hurt you, Noodle-chan." Noodle nodded, standing straight before she pet the girl on the head.
"Watashi ha saizen o tsukushi masu," Noodle promised. Kazuno smiled approvingly.
Though the room had still felt uneasy to Noodle, all of her distress seemed to bolt once the knob on her door began to turn, and a lost-looking Stuart stumbled into her lounge. Noodle grinned, glad that he was okay and out of harms way, "What are you doing here, 2D-kun?"
He rubbed his arm nervously, looking down. "I-I-I wonted ta ask yew if I could stay in 'ere… … I went ta me room afta breakfast an' Muds started openin' me curtains again so tha' damn whale could geh a fix on me, an' well… yea…"
Noodle frowned, perturbed with this new information. It seemed that word of 2D's mental state hadn't quite reached the drunken bass player… That or he was just too drunk to give a damn. Hell, maybe it was just for a bit of a laugh. Either way, Noodle knew that room of his was no place for the singer. He might just relapse again if he were forced back into that hole, and that room was where he had spent over a year just waiting for death to take him, so he wouldn't have to do it himself. It was a rash decision to make, and she knew it, but when she saw the look he had on his face, her mind was made up. She looked back to 2D. "Of course, 2D… but, it might be best to not let Russel-sama know, yes? He might not take to that very well," she chuckled.
2D nodded, then smiled, "Fanks, love."
With all of his belongings… or at least his movies, photo albums, and clothes now settled into Noodle's lighthouse, the place was now theirs, and they had gotten it taken care of quickly and without the slightest hint of suspicion. But then, what else was to be expected when you lived in an expansive castle with the only means of getting to and from each level being a single lift? Not much of anything. It was extraordinarily easy.
Of course, the two couldn't be found in the lighthouse at the moment. Instead, they were sitting atop the plastic hill, right off to the side of the garden patio. 2D was relaxed, lying on his back, with Noodle close beside him. They stared up at the clouds endlessly, trying to convince themselves that maybe they weren't on a melancholy hill, and they weren't on Plastic Beach. The sky was, and always would be their escape. The sky was free, and had no restrictions. It could move wherever it wished, and not have to deal with the petty worries of living from day to day… never having to worry about tomorrow, and what it may bring. It had always been there, and would always be there. Always changing in the way it looked, but nothing else.
After a pause from thinking, or lack thereof, 2D sat up and pulled his keyboard onto his lap. He could never wander out onto his sanctuary without his music; it didn't make sense to him. He smiled to himself as his fingers began to glide along the keys, playing harmonious notes that sang with the wind, and danced with the clouds far above. As he thought about where they were now, he smiled wider as his musings played out, and began to sing as the song came to his mind. "Up on melancholy hill, there's a plastic tree," he looked down to Noodle, who was staring up at him since he had broken the silence with his angelic voice. "Are yeh here with me?"
She smiled, and mouthed the word, "Always."
He grinned happily as he looked back out to the sky, and she followed his gaze, "Just lookin' out on the day of another dream… where yew can't get what yew want, but'chyeh can get me…" He looked back to Noodle, who was still looking up into the sky. "So let's set out to sea, love… 'cos yew are my medicine, when you're close to me… when you're close to me…"
We'll do it all, everything
On our own
We don't need, anything
Or anyone
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?
I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel
Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden
That's bursting into life
Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads
I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden
That's bursting into life
All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes
They're all I can see
I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things
Will never change for us at all
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?
Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars
~End Chapter, if that wasn't already obvious.
Hope you like it, at least a wee bit. I know not much happened, but hey… … I don't know how I should finish that sentence O.o
Anyhow, this chapter kinda signifies the beginning of a new look on the world for both 2D and Noodle. They can finally let their feelings out, and not have to worry about their pasts, except for Noodle of course... she's still in midst of her battle against herself. But other than that, this chapter is also about the midway point of this story. You know? Where everything starts to change and become more confusing, and all that jazz... blah blah blah
Anyhow, um… I think the next chapter will be somewhat interesting… oh, and don't be surprised when flashbacks start appearing. I have plans for a few in every couple of chapters coming up, being that we're getting so close to that moment of truth… but hey, don't the most beautiful things in life come from the most devastating of experiences? I certainly believe so.