Sorry for the delay. I actually took the past couple of days to go through this entire story and reread it, and rewrite some parts. I hope I found all the mistakes XD
Anyhow, go ahead and look through it if you dare, and just to get a feel for the story again. I actually felt more motivated when I read the whole friggin thing again. This story blows my mind. It makes my head spin. I still can't believe I have so many more things in store for it.
There I go again… the lyrics for the beginning of this chapter are from a song called "Sleepyhead" by "Passion Pit"... I love this song... it makes me awl fuzzy inside ^.^
I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
~Hazel
*And you say, it was like fire around the brim*
*Burning solid, burning thin the burning rim*
*Like stars burning holes right through the dark*
*Flicking fire like saltwater into my eyes*
*You were one inch from the edge of this bed*
*I drag you back a sleepyhead, sleepyhead*
2D groaned, keeping his eyes shut tightly as he finally returned to the world of the conscious, his entire body weary and his muscles sore. Something felt odd in the way the air of the room hit his skin, and as he tried to understand why, he discovered that he was really, very naked. He opened his eyes widely, looking around himself for nothing in particular, but his focus was drawn to the other naked shape to his side, close to the edge of their bed. He gazed at her, his eyes melting over her back as he studied her lying on her stomach, with one arm hanging off of the bed. He breathed heavily as everything came rushing back to him, everything that they had done the night before, and he smiled softly. Outstretching his arm toward her, 2D wrapped his hand over her waist, rolling her over to drag her away from the edge, and she mumbled, her eyes opening lazily as he moved her back into his arms. She let out a deep breath and he watched her face as her eyes moved to his own, her expression impassive, then her eyes drifted shut once more. He chuckled throatily, moving his lips to her hair, brushing through it with his fingers as he hummed, breathing in her sweet scent. She smiled to herself as she felt his body reverberating when he purred, and shifted, moving her arm to hug him around his waist. She took in a sharp breath when she realised that he was without clothes, as well as she, and she flushed. Her entire body became hot as she felt the way her body touched his as he embraced her in their less than modest lack of attire, but she loved the way his warm body felt against hers, and he loved the way her body fit into his, not wanting any space between them.
Noodle attempted to look around herself, pushing back from 2D, but her exhaustion quickly made itself known, and she felt like jell-o. With a small grin, 2D scooted away from her, and he felt his heart skip a beat when his eyes took in her body for the first time, being that last night had been too dark to really see her. "Good mornin, sleepy'ead," he breathed. She watched his tired face quietly as he trailed his fingers down her side, but she flinched, closing her eyes and whimpering when he ran his hand over her stomach. He grimaced, and gently took a hold of her face. "Is ih the demons again?" He asked.
She shook her head, opening her eyes slowly and biting her lip as her body winced with pain. "No," she told him, her voice low and hoarse. "It just… hurts…" With a slight frown, she started to examine herself, but being that 2D was directly in front of her, her eyes wandered across his body, and she blushed. She rolled over, facing away from him, and moved her hands down her own body, flinching when she felt the pain in her abdomen. She looked over herself carefully, trying to figure the source of her pain, and saw the bruising that had begun to form from within her abdomen. With a sigh, she closed her eyes, moving her hand to rest beneath her head, while her other was placed on her waist. 2D's dark eyes remained fixed on her, confused, and he sat up to pull himself closer to her, his leg brushing against her back. He froze when he heard her gasp, but realised it was just because she hadn't expected his touch. He leaned over her body, and she watched as he moved his hand over hers.
"Whot's te matter, love?" He asked her, worried that she regretted what they'd done, and maybe he had taken advantage of her. Her eyes moved down her own body, and he followed her gaze as she took a hold of his hand, moving it over her stomach. He sighed when he felt how tender her abdomen was, and bit his lip when he saw the bruising she had. Swiftly, he looked back to her face, and laid his body back down behind hers, hugging his arms around her waist, kissing her shoulder. "M'sorry, love. I didn' mean ta 'urt ya," he whispered. She sighed, curling her knees into herself, and he pulled his legs in behind hers. "Do yew 'ate me?" He asked brokenly.
Taking in a slow, deep breath, Noodle turned to face 2D, wrapping her arms around his neck. She hugged herself close to him, then pulled back and kissed his lips. "No," she whispered. "I could never hate you, Stuart." She grinned, and then moved her face away from his as she coughed. She groaned, annoyed with the raw feeling she had in her throat. His hands moved to her back, rubbing into her skin deeply. "2D," she spoke. "You took away my pain… I don't feel them crawling in my skin anymore," she told him. She looked to him, kissing his nose, and he smiled, moving in to catch her lips, brushing his hand along her waist. "After all that I've been through, everything I have is right here with you," she whispered against his lips. Warm tears streamed down his face as he continued to kiss her, and he knew that they'd be okay, but he also knew that though their walls were gone, there may still be some bridges to cross. But as long as she stood by his side, he knew they'd make it anywhere.
When 2D rolled into her slightly, she winced, her body quivering. He frowned, and moved his hand behind her neck, kissing her forehead in an act of apology. "C'mon, love. I know whot yew need," he breathed. She looked at him curiously, flushing when he moved toward the edge of the bed, standing shamelessly, then turning to her and taking her hand in his to pull her toward him. She pulled back, blushing furiously and taking the blanket to wrap around herself. "There ain't nuffink ta be ashamed of, love," he chuckled huskily. He snatched the blanket from her, taking a hold of her hands before she could respond, and pulled her to her feet, into his chest. She gasped, her entire body red with bashfulness as he stepped away from her. His laugh broke the silence again, and she closed her eyes, bowing her head. His fingers slipped beneath her chin, pulling her face up, and she relaxed as he kissed her, running his other hand down her back and pulling her into him. Her hands moved to his waist as he continued to suck on her lips, her body shivering when his hand traced over her hip, her mouth popped open in surprise, and he stuck his tongue between her lips, loving the way she tasted. When she had finally seemed to relax again, 2D pulled away, combing his hand through her hair. "C'mon, love. Let's go an' get cleaned up," he told her, kissing her cheek. She nodded, sighing to herself.
As he began to step away, Noodle attempted to follow after him, but she quickly stumbled, losing her footing and just barely catching herself by clinging onto the side of the bed. 2D rushed toward her, pulling her to her feet, his face unreadable as he stood her up straight. He closed his eyes as he offered her a small grin, scratching the back of his head with a soft blush. "Do yew need any 'elp," he asked, his voice hushed. She shook her head, stepping back warily, her legs shaking beneath her with the effort. She sighed to herself, knowing that if she couldn't even walk straight right now, what in hell was she supposed to do when she ran into Murdoc, or worse, Russel? She supposed she could try and pass it off for something else, but Murdoc would surely see through her lies. She was pretty sure his experience would tell him otherwise. Her eyes wandered over the bed now, and she gasped quietly when she saw the blood on the sheets, looking around her arms to try and see if she was bleeding from anywhere. Confusion swept over her when she found that her most recent cut was healing perfectly fine. 2D took a hold of her hand again, gently tugging her to get her attention, not noticing that she was currently preoccupied with trying to discover the source of the blood. As she looked up to him, he offered another smile before he turned and began walking once more. She followed behind him silently, staring at her feet as they moved through the lighthouse, with her free hand wrapped around herself.
When they reached the lavatory, Noodle locked the door behind them as 2D ran the hot water, and warm steam began to fill the space. As 2D tested out the water, adjusting it to a temperature he preferred, Noodle stared at herself in the mirror, tracing her fingers over the bruise on her face, a cold tear silently crawling down her cheek. She wiped it away, and began running her fingers down her neck, now looking at a shallow scar she had there. She followed it, turning her body as it trailed behind her, going slightly down her back. She grimaced when she saw another thick scar on her back, moving her hand over it, wondering how she had ever managed to survive. But though her skin was damaged and decorated in her badges of survival, she couldn't seem to find any reason to dislike them all that much. Sure, they reminded her of her past, and carried memories she'd rather leave to naught, but maybe they made her who she was. Maybe, in some sadistically ironic way, she wouldn't be here without them.
After a moment, Noodle shook her head, freeing herself from her reverie, and she faced forward again, cradling her stomach as she looked at it in the mirror, wincing with the pain it caused her. As she examined her lower body, she saw the faded blood that lye between her legs, and sighed, now realising that it must have come from where 2D had broken her. She left her stomach again, and moved closer to the reflective surface, moving her hand to her face once more. As she stared at the damaged half of her face, the only badge of her suffrage she'd come to treat with disdain, she didn't notice as 2D turned, and watched her as she stared at herself. She frowned slightly, turning her head to the side so that she could only see the undamaged half of her face. 2D's face dropped as he saw what she'd done, and her eyes shifted to him as he came up behind her. He hugged Noodle from behind, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her shoulder as she shivered beneath his touch.
When his lips left her skin, 2D's gaze moved up, green eyes connecting with black as they looked at one another through the mirror. Her face was still turned to the side so she didn't have to see her bruise, so 2D took the opportunity to kiss her damaged cheek, removing one arm from her waist, and trailing it up her body. He moved his hand over her shoulder, never allowing it to leave her skin as it moved up her neck, taking a soft hold of her face. "Noodle," he whispered, and then slowly turned her face so that only the damaged side was reflected by the mirror. "T'is bruise isn' 'oo yew are. Yew don' need ta 'ide ih," he told her softly. Her lips trembled, and she sucked her lips into her mouth, biting on them. "An' yew're mo' beau'iful now t'an yew've evah been," he continued, kissing the back of her neck. "Yew don' need ta 'ide from the hell yew've been through anymo, love. Tha' bruise on yo' face is only a part o'yew," he kissed the hollow below her ear, and then turned her body to face him, pulling her against him tightly as he heard her silent sobs. "Bu' not because o' the way it marks yew… Ih's 'cos o' why ih marks yew." She pulled back, looking at him questioningly, and he tenderly pushed his thumb into the skin of her face, wiping away the fallen tears. "Love… yew go' tha' bruise 'cos yew lasted through everyfin' 'ell threw at yew," he told her. "Noodle, endurance is greateh t'an any power in t'is world," he spoke as he leaned in, kissing her lips affectionately.
When 2D pulled away, Noodle placed her hands on his face, smirking though a single tear still ran down her cheek. "When did you become Buddha, 2D-kun?" She asked him quietly.
He chortled, hugging her to his chest, resting his face right beside hers. "That'd be mister Buddha te yew," he laughed, and a soft chuckle escaped Noodle as well. She nuzzled her face against his, leaving light kisses on the skin of his neck. He hummed, closing his eyes as he concentrated on her skin against his. "Come te fink of ih, I fink I'll stick wiff 2D," he decided.
Noodle giggled, and 2D moved his face to hers, kissing her deeply. "I do not know how you do it, 2D-kun… but you always find a way to make me feel better," she spoke in a hushed tone as he kissed her lips again.
He grinned, and rested his forehead against hers, his endless eyes meeting hers as they gazed at one another. Noodle could see as his face shifted, even minutely as he tossed over thoughts in his head, and she wondered what he was thinking about as his grin grew into a full blown smile, and then he closed his eyes with a snicker. Noodle tilted her head to the side, her face blank as he opened his eyes once more. "Noodle?" He began, and she remained silent, waiting for him to finish. He closed his eyes as he smiled again, "We're naked." She felt her eye twitch with his words, and she pulled her face away, resting it against his chest as her shoulders began to shake. 2D's face dropped, and he pulled away from Noodle, lifting her face up to meet his. He arched his eyebrow when he saw her biting into her lip, her entire face red, and when she met his eyes again, she grinned widely and burst into laugher. He smiled again, hugging her as he laughed with her.
As their bodies rocked with laughter, Noodle couldn't help but to notice the way their bodies were touching as they vibrated against each other, and her face became red with a soft blush as her laughter faded and she stared up at 2D. He was transfixed with her eyes, swallowing when he saw the way her blush painted her face, making her look like an angel, and he bent forward, their lips meeting as their eyes remained locked together. He kissed her airily at first, but after their lips skimmed together, he kissed her lips roughly, moving his hand to tangle in her hair, watching as Noodle's eyes drifted shut, and he began pushing her backwards toward the shower. As 2D lifted Noodle slightly to step into the shower, closing the door behind them, she flinched when the water hit her skin, but quickly relaxed as its heat sunk into her flesh, warming her body, and it only helped that 2D was holding onto her so tightly. When his lips moved to her neck, he began sucking on the hickey that he'd left the night before.
As he kissed her, his hands wandered off, leaving Noodle's body, but she paid no mind until his hand came down on top of her head with a muffled splat. She looked up at him, startled, and he laughed as he began to massage his fingers into her scalp, mixing the soap with her hair. With a small grin, Noodle took the shampoo bottle, pouring the thick liquid in her own hand, and then standing on her toes, leaning against 2D as she began creating suds in his own hair. When she was finished with him, she moved away, escaping 2D's embrace, and began messing with her own hair, letting the water rinse away the soap and clean her body. When she was done, 2D pulled her into him again, turning them around so the water fell onto his own head. He shook his head when the last of the soap drained away, and Noodle giggled with his childish behavior. "I miss this," Noodle whispered, moving her arms to wrap around 2D's neck.
"Miss whot, love?" He asked as he moved his lips her neck again, leaving kisses everywhere his mouth wandered.
"I miss being happy all of the time," she told him, and seeing that his face was so close, she kissed his cheek.
He pulled back, lightly kissing her lips. "I'm always 'appy when I 'ave yew," he spoke as he continued to kiss her. "S'gonna be 'ard sometimes, yeah... But like, even te 'appiest o'people 'ave problems. S'jus' tha' bein' 'appy... s'like bein' able ta not let those problems get ta yew," he guessed. Noodle chuckled again, kissing his lips as he pulled away with a confused look upon his face. "Whot's so funny?" He asked her as he shut the water off, the both of them ready to get dry and dressed.
She smiled widely as she spoke, "You are very insightful today, 2D-kun… Is it because of…" She blushed, biting her lip as she thought about last night again. She couldn't believe she'd almost let that slip off of her tongue, but 2D had already caught on.
He chuckled throatily, pushing her against the cold tile wall with his body. She trembled beneath his touch, her eyes wide as she saw the look he gave her buried deep beneath the darkness of his black voids. "I dun know, love," he spoke as he kissed her lips. Her breath came in rapidly as he slipped his tongue in her mouth, and trailed his hand softly down her stomach, avoiding her tender area. His hand brushed over her thigh, and she took in a sharp breath as he continued to taste her mouth, losing herself in his touch. "Why don' we find out?" He spoke brusquely, and she shuddered violently.
Both of them jumped when they heard a pounding on the door, and 2D pulled away with a yelp, but Noodle quickly covered his mouth with her hand, the both of them wide eyed. They stared at one another, their faces red, terrified that they'd been caught, and in the same moment, their eyes shifted to look toward the door, though their sight was blocked by the shower's door. "Baby-girl, you in dere?" Russel's booming voice called out through the thick door. Noodle moved from 2D, holding onto his hand to keep him feeling secure.
She stuck her head out of the shower. "Hai, Russel-sama," she called back, staring down at his shadow underneath the other door. 2D whimpered, so Noodle moved back to him, kissing his lips airily. "It's fine, 2D-kun. Shhh," she whispered to him.
"What's goin' on in dere, Noodle? You alright?" He asked her, knocking on the door again. 2D bit his lip, staring down at Noodle.
Noodle flinched, hugging herself to 2D, and closing her eyes. "I cannot talk right now, Russel-sama." She told him.
"Why not," he pressed, now leaning against the door.
She had the urge to whine like a child with his intimidations, but she did her best to hold her breathing steady. "I'm naked," she told him. 2D grinned with her words, and she desperately wanted to laugh at the face he was making, but she couldn't risk it, so she took in a deep breath, holding it for a moment. He looked like a puppy who'd been caught doing something he knew he'd get beaten for, and well, that was the case, or it would be, if he was actually caught.
"Oh um," Russel scratched the back of his head. He was slightly confused as to why her absence of clothes made her unable to speak to him, and why she wasn't being modest about it, like she normally would be, but he brushed it off. "Well, I jus' dropped by ta check up wit' you. Haven't seen you since yestaday mornin," he told her. Noodle stepped out of the shower, quickly taking her robe from where it hung on a hook, and tying it around her body tightly, glad to see that it hid most of her neck. Now covered, she pranced back to 2D, handing him a towel, which he wrapped over his hips. She lifted her finger to her mouth, and he nodded as he closed the shower door in front of him, peeking out slightly as Noodle went to the bathroom door, watching intently as she turned the knob, opening it.
Russel arched his eyebrow when he saw Noodle peek her head out, and then slip through the door, closing it behind her. She looked up at him with a wide grin. "Hallo, Russel-sama," she spoke as she pressed her back against the door. "I am fine, thank you," she told him.
Russel smiled, nodding. "Good," he sighed as he opened his arms to her, and she went to him, hugging him lightly. He pet the top of her hair, glad to see that she was doing well. He knew she would usually hide in her room when she wasn't feeling well. "Have you seen 'D aroun'? I haven't seen 'im roun' dis mornin," Russel asked her. Noodle bit her lip, her face becoming hot, and she knew she was blushing. Russel arched his eyebrow. "You okay, baby-girl?"
She nodded quickly. "Hai, I am just feeling a little under the weather. Maybe it is a fever," she lied, shrugging as she bit the inside of her cheek. Russel looked as though he were about to speak, but Noodle cut him off. "Have you checked the garden patio?" Noodle asked. "2D-kun might be up there," she guessed.
"Nah, I haven' looked there, but then, I don' exactly like tryna climb ovah that wall I've seen the two of yous do," he rambled, then looked back to Noodle, shrugging. "I dunno. Maybe he is up there," Russel agreed, and Noodle sighed, wanting to fall to the ground now that the pressure had gone. He watched her questioningly, and reached forward to feel her forehead. "Maybe you should rest a bit, baby-girl. Yo feelin kinda hot," he told her, which only made her blush all the more, but she gave him a nod. He smiled, and leaned forward to kiss the top of her head as he gave her one last hug. "Alright, baby-girl. Food's upstairs when you feel up to it… Make sho' you get 'D, if ya do come up," he added as he turned to leave.
"I will… Arigato, Russel-sama," she told him with a grin, and he grinned back. But Noodle could swear his eyes were full of worry as he closed the lighthouse door behind himself, and made his way toward the entrance. As soon as she was sure he was gone, Noodle rushed forward, locking the door, and turning her body to rest against it with a relieved sigh, closing her eyes as she leaned her head back against it. When the squeak of a door was heard, Noodle opened her eyes, keeping her head against the door as she saw 2D peeking out, and they both smiled at one another as 2D opened it all the way, stepping out of the lavatory. Noodle shut her eyes, sighing as she felt her heart beating rapidly against her ribs, grinning warmly when she felt 2D's rough fingers cup her cheek, and he moved in to kiss her lightly. When he pulled back, he wrapped one arm around her waist, while he used his other hand to trace over the outline of her bruise lightly, grinning as he did so. "What are you thinking about, 2D-kun," she asked him, her eyes still closed.
He moved his hand away from her face, and kissed her lips. "'Ow beautiful yew are," he told her. She opened her eyes with a smile, rolling them. "Whot?" He asked as he pecked her lips again.
"Nothing, 2D-kun," she told him as she tangled her hands in his hair, kissing him. "I love you," she whispered. 2D beamed, the lines beneath his eyes stretching widely. His hands moved to her face, and he caressed her skin with his fingertips as he studied her eyes intently, gazing at them as he searched for God-knows-what, and seemed to have found it as he grinned softly, pulling her face to his as he kissed her deeply, moving his hands to brush through her hair, and then down her back.
"I shou' go," he spoke softly. Noodle looked at him questioningly, a hint of sadness in her eyes, and 2D grinned, kissing her forehead softly. "I dun want Russel gettin' any ideas, love," he told her, cupping her cheek with his hand. Noodle nodded, and 2D hugged her close, pecking her lips before he let her go, then went up the stairs of the lighthouse as Noodle moved back into the lavatory to finish drying off. Once he had gotten dressed, 2D promptly left the lighthouse and made his way up to the entrance, his stomach twisting as he rode the lift to the study. As he waited, his thoughts began to race; he wondered if maybe he and Noodle had moved too far, too quickly, and maybe she would resent him when she got around to thinking about it. He hadn't deserved to claim her as his own; maybe Noodle would realise that, and decide to find better for herself. 2D bit his lip, regret washing over him as he thought about everything he had done to her, how he had taken the last of her innocence. He had been too far out of line, and Noodle would hate him the next moment he saw her. What was to happen when Noodle decided she hadn't wanted to give herself to 2D, and she had just been desperate for relief? Would there be any chance to heal and move on? And now, 2D had to face Russel, after he had taken the drummer's daughter's virtue for himself behind his back. He took in a deep breath as the lift's doors opened for him, and he made his way out, twiddling his fingers together as he walked to the lounge, heading for the kitchen to grab some grub.
He could feel the bile pooling in his stomach, bubbling up his esophagus uncomfortably and burning him as he neared the doorway, now able to see the shadow of the man he currently dreaded. His eyes remained locked on the floor as he moved into the kitchen, going towards the food Russel had laid out, and picking things out to eat for himself, standing by the counter as he ate, not daring to make himself vulnerable by sitting at the table with Russel. "Yo 'D." 2D flinched at the sound of his name being called. "Where ya been?" Russel asked him, concentrating on the food in front of him as he stuffed his fork into his mouth, biting the bit of pancake off of it.
2D swallowed the bite of toast he had been chewing on, and grinned guiltily as he scratched the back of his neck. "Oh, yew n-know, Russ. Jus' m-messin' ab-about an' such," he said quickly, his tongue feeling swollen as he spoke. He shuffled his feet as he scooted toward the fridge, and then poured himself a glass of orange juice, his fingers trembling as he drank it.
When Russel had seemed to have gotten the food in his mouth down, he cleared his throat. "What's up wit' you, man? Yah feelin' alright?" Russel asked, his eyebrow arched as he stared at 2D's awkward form, watching his hesitant movements.
"M'fine," 2D chirped, his voice slightly high-pitched. He turned, and rested against the counter as he shoved anything his hands found into his mouth, wanting to leave the room as soon as possible. When Russel had finished, he stood, his plate in hand as he made his way to the sink, and 2D happened to be in his path. 2D's eyes grew wide as he saw the man's large frame coming toward him, and he flinched. "I didn't do it!" He yelped as he ran out the room, fleeing as though his life were in danger. Russel watched after 2D, his brow scrunched, thoroughly flabbergasted with the man's outburst.
"Didn' do what?" The drummer asked himself.
Once Noodle had gotten to the lift from the beach entrance, now waiting for it to ascend, she began to bounce slightly on her feet, and her gaze flashed to the door when it stopped too soon, opening on the wrong floor. She gasped when she saw Murdoc, and her face turned red as she bowed her head, staring at her feet. Murdoc walked inside, nonchalant as he turned and stood a small distance from her. "So you an' the dullard finally shagged, eh?" He spoke matter-of-factly. Her eyes flashed up to his face, wide-eyed as he continued to stare at the door ahead of them.
"How did you –" She began to speak.
"Not 'ard ta figure, love," Murdoc sniggered, pulling a cigar from the pocket on his shirt, and swiftly lighting it as he took a thick drag. "Fer one, tha' way yer shufflin' on yer feet, an' yer knees look like they're about ta give out underneath yeh," he began. "An' then, well, there's tha' fookin 'ickey on yer neck he left fer ye," Murdoc laughed, coughing as he took another drag of his cigar.
"You won't tell Russel, will you," she asked guiltily.
Murdoc scoffed, "Feh. I go' my own problems, love. I dun need yers, and frankly I dun give a flyin' fook." She sighed, moving her hand to her neck, and Murdoc turned to face her. She winced when his hand came toward her, but he only took her hair, stroking it and manipulating it to cover the mark from view.
"Thank you, Murdoc," she told him quietly as the lift's doors began to open to reveal the study. He only nodded, lifting his hand as he walked away, going toward his secret room.
Noodle watched after him over her shoulder as she made her way through the study in the opposite direction. She sighed when she turned her head forward again, moving her hand to her hair, thankful that it covered her mark on her neck. She walked slowly, putting all of her concentration into every step she took so that she didn't trip or wobble too noticeably. When she came to the kitchen, her face became blank when she realised 2D wasn't already there. She furrowed her eyebrows, but entered anyhow, biting her lip when she saw Russel sitting at the table, reading a newspaper. His gaze shifted to her slightly, and he grinned, "'Ey, baby-girl. Glad ta see ya up here," he told her enthusiastically. She nodded, and moved to get herself something to eat. "Did ya see 'D on yo way up here," he asked her, breaking the silence. She sighed, wondering if maybe he knew something.
She turned to face him from where she stood, a bagel in her hand. "No," she shook her head, closing her eyes for a moment. "Did he ever come up here," she asked.
Russel nodded, his eyes focused on the paper in his hand. He leaned back in his chair. "Yea… but 'e wuz actin' funny." He shrugged. "Maybe the flu's goin' 'round," he suggested, shifting his weight in the chair. He looked to Noodle as she took slow bites of her food, not coming to sit with him like she normally would, and she was a lot more quiet than normal. She winced when he spoke again, "How's it goin wit 'at damn cyborg," he asked casually.
She swallowed, coughing quietly. "Um… almost finished actually," she grinned for a moment, but it quickly disappeared as her thoughts shifted back to this morning. 2D seemed fine –more than fine actually. He seemed happy, and that made her feel good. But, she didn't know what it was, but she couldn't help but feel as though she had made a mistake. She sighed, continuing to eat as she began wondering if maybe they had moved too fast. Would he still love her, now that she finally seemed to be feeling the same as him? Or had she been too late? She hoped she hadn't made him wait too long, and she was afraid that he wouldn't want her now that he'd had her body. She bit her lip, now finished with her food. What if the Demon Boy had been right?
She leaned over the counter, unaware of the world around her as her thoughts raced. How did they get to where they were in this moment? So close –there were no more walls that could stand between the two of them. He had broken through the last one when she'd given herself to him, and finally let herself become vulnerable. She knew there was probably much more she should tell him, but she couldn't think of anything in particular. If he came asking, she knew she would tell him. But what did that have to do with anything now? She took a deep breath, wiping away the offending wetness beneath her eye. Still, did he love her, like he had told her so? Again, she couldn't help but think, was I too late? She shook her head, her eyes small as she looked around the room.
"S'everythin' alright, baby-girl," Russel asked. Her eyes flashed to him, now biting her lip as she longed to go and clear her head. She just wanted to go outside, and crawl onto the grass, even if it was fake. She wanted to roll in the sun, and let a short nap wash her worries away, if only for a short time. "Baby-girl?" he called her again, worried.
She opened her mouth, licking her lips. "Ano… Sorry, Russel-sama… I am… okay… sorry," she apologized again.
He furrowed his brow. "Why don' ya go an' take a break, girl," he told her, further believing that maybe she was sick, as she had seemed to be this morning, but her face wasn't very pale. In fact, physically, she looked just fine, but she seemed far away in thought, and she was fidgeting a lot. As she continued to shift on her feet, he noticed she was acting more and more like 2D had been.
Noodle became wary when she realised he was studying her, and once he opened his mouth to speak, she assumed he was going to ask her a question, but she didn't want to be pressed any further. She cut him off, speaking the first thing that came to her mind. "I'm going to go to the garden patio… to relax." He closed his mouth, and gave her a small nod. She grinned, but quickly her face became unreadable again as she bit her lip and promptly left the room.
She made her way to the lift, taking it exactly where she had said she'd be going. She exhaled, relieved when the warm rays of the sun caressed her pale skin, and she went to go and climb over the wall onto the grass. She smiled when she heard 2D playing his guitar, forgetting all of her worries for a moment. Once she took in his face, his eyes closed as he laid on his back while he continued to play a melody, her face dropped, remembering everything she had been fussing over before as she moved closer to him. When her shadow moved over his face, he opened his black eyes, smiling widely as he took her in, and moved his guitar away to his side. She grinned back, sitting down on the ground, and then lying down against him, curling into his side. He moved one hand to tangle in her hair, while his other arm was rested upon her waist. He kissed her hair airily, breathing in her sweet scent. "'ello, love," he whispered in a low voice. She looked up to him, meeting his eyes, her face stolid.
He leaned into her, capturing her lips, and sighing when she kissed him back. He turned his body so they both faced one another as they laid on the ground. His forehead was rested against hers as he continued to comb his hand through her hair, and they just stared at one another, green on black, neither of them wanting to break the hypnotizing hold of the other's eyes. She studied his eyes, looking for any trace of regret, anything that told her that he didn't love her anymore, as he searched her eyes for any trace of resentment. He couldn't believe she really loved him now, and she found it hard to accept that he'd actually waited for her for this long. When she found nothing, his dark eyes giving to her nothing but what they'd always had before: tender love and unspoken loyalty, she decided it was okay. They were okay, and she smiled, moving forward to kiss his lips, and he caressed her face with his fingertips.
"I love you," she told him quietly. He pulled back, his face vacant as he watched her eyes intently. He searched for anything, looking for any trace of a lie. Looking for anything that told him that he'd been wrong, and she regretted letting herself become vulnerable for him. Looking for anything that proved that he really had no effect on her, and maybe he'd just made it all up in his cluttered mind. His fixed gaze made Noodle shiver, and he blinked. He didn't see it –didn't see anything… She really loved him. She bit her lip as he continued to be silent, sighing when she realised that her worries had been right.
She gasped when he pulled her into him, kissing her lips roughly, and then he pulled back, his breath on her face as he exhaled. It smelled sweet –like butterscotch –as she'd always remembered. He smiled, and sang a line to a song that came to his mind in that moment. "Forgive me if I stu-stutter from all of the clutter in my head," he told her. She smiled, biting her lip. "I love yew, too," he told her gently. With a sharp breath, a hot tear moved down Noodle's face, and he kissed the wetness away. She smiled, kissing his lips again, and then hugged him around his neck, with him curling his arms around her body. She had a headache now, with the constant shifting of her thoughts and the different answers she had been receiving, but it was worth it because she'd finally found the truth. Once again, her worries had been proved wrong. Once again, she knew they were okay. He loved her, and she would take it, and love him too. They were both a little unconfident, both a little bit insecure, but when it came to one another, they didn't have to be. It could just be simple, and easy, like it used to be. It was different, this love was new and had yet to be fully explored, but it was theirs, and they wouldn't waste it.
Alright, yeah
I'm wandering the streets, in a world underneath it all
But nothing seems to be, nothing tastes as sweet
As what I can't have
Like you and the way that you're twisting your hair
Round your finger
But tonight I'm not afraid to tell you
What I feel about you
Oh, I'm gonna muster every ounce of confidence I have
And cannonball into the water
I'm gonna muster every ounce of confidence I have
For you, I will
For you, I will
Forgive me if I stu-stutter
From all of the clutter in my head
Cuz I could fall asleep in those eyes
Like a water bed
Do I seem familiar? I've crossed you in hallways
A thousand times, no more camouflage
I wanna be exposed, and not be afraid to fall
Oh, I'm gonna muster every ounce of confidence I have
And cannonball into the water
I'm gonna muster every ounce of confidence I have
For you, I will
You always want what you can't have
But I've got to try
I muster every ounce of confidence I have
For you, I will
For you, I will
For you, I will
For you
If I could dim the lights in the mall
And create a mood, I would
Shout out your name so it echoes in every room
I would
That's what I'd do, that's what I'd do, that's what I'd do to get through to you, yeah
Muster every ounce of confidence I have
And cannonball into the water
I'm gonna muster every ounce of confidence I have
For you, I will
You always want what you can't have
But I've got to try
I'm gonna muster every ounce of confidence I have
For you, I will
For you, I will
For you, I will
For you, I will
Teddy Geiger – For You I Will