She's My Collar

By: KKM

Disclaimer: I do not own the Gorillaz or any related characters/songs. Gorillaz are © Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett.

Last Time:

"I'm just worried because that's not even the worst of it," she said in a small voice, "What will you think of me then, Russel-sama?"

He frowned at the comment, but shook his head all the same. "I was young once too, Noodle. We all done stupid shit. Did you learn from it?" She nodded her head and he smiled, "then we can move on from there. Don't worry about it now. Just save it for tomorrow." With that he left her alone to her thoughts as he too exited the room.

"I may have learned my lesson, but how can I expect you to forgive me if I can't even forgive me?" she questioned to the empty room. Then she sighed and turned out the light.

Chapter 7: Out of Body

A light breeze fluttered through 2D's wispy blue locks as he stared out into the cloudy night sky. The moon was hiding behind the clouds causing the edges to glow slightly illuminating the back porch as he leaned against one of the wooden banisters and lazily smoked a cigarette. His face blended like the patchy sky above with its now purple bruises, but he didn't seem to mind. He liked the calmness of it all. He didn't have to think out here, just be.

He'd woken up not too long ago due to the steady pricks of pain that had been slowly nudging him into consciousness. It was a constant battle with him whether it was due to actual bodily harm or the constant pressure that would steadily build in his temples – medication just simply did not stay in his system long enough to ever fully make it go away. Instead it would just mask it for a bit and push it to the background so he wouldn't have to deal with it. But it always came back with a vengeance. Forever he was either stuck in a fog from something that was supposedly helping him or completely overtaken by the distracting banging in his head that made the world feel like it was trembling under a storm of crashing symbols. Sleep was usually cumbersome and would only last a few hours at a time before he'd have to choose which path to take again. Insomnia was a normal occurrence for the man, if the bruised bags under his damaged eyes was anything to go by.

Noodle was still gone when he'd finally decided to concede and painfully extracted himself from his warm cocoon of blankets and pillows. This didn't really surprise him, though he highly doubted they would finish talking tonight. He knew there was a lot to go over and he trusted her to keep her word when she said that she'd tell all of it exactly as it had happened. He didn't bother going to rejoin them as he knew that his presence was probably still unwelcome. He didn't really want to deal with their stares right now anyway. He was already in a lot of pain, he didn't need any awkwardness to be added to the equation just yet. So instead, he'd came here to attempt to calm his nerves with some much-needed nicotine.

He cringed a bit as his peace was interrupted from behind. It was interesting how something so simple as the back door opening could make him so tense and rigid that he felt his bones might break under the tension. He forgot to breath a moment as the smoke he'd just inhaled refused to leave. He stared up at the night sky as if maybe the clouds would open up and swallow him too. The steps were too light to be Russel's and yet not light enough to be Noodle's. So that left him with-

"Oh fer tha' love of- I'm not gonna' hitcha, Stu," Murdoc's gruff voice interrupted his thoughts as he glanced back at the older man with a grimace. To his surprise, the bassist stayed true to his word and instead moved to join him in lazily leaning against the railing of the porch. He watched as the other patted down his pockets and frowned coming up empty. As if on auto-pilot, the singer reached into his own pockets handing his friend his pack of smokes and a lighter, finally exhaling the huge buildup of smoke he'd been holding onto this whole time with a slight wheeze. "Tha's betta'," Muds said appreciatively as he lit his own cancer stick and pocketed the rest of 2D's. The singer either didn't notice, or was expecting this because he didn't try to ask for them back.

2D was much more interested in the other's reaction to be too bothered by something as measly as a pack of smokes. Murdoc had not given away any indication what so ever of what he was thinking and that made him more nervous than anything. A calm Murdoc could lash out at any moment and he wasn't so sure his face could survive another beating, so he decided to tread carefully and wait for his leader to make the first move.

They stayed silent a long while just smoking and enjoying the calmness of the night. It wasn't until their second cigarette that Murdoc finally spoke. "It was her," he said with a small chuckle, his mismatched eyes settling on the quiet man beside him as he watched the other with scrutiny. "She's tha' one you came to meh Winnie all inna huff abou'."

2D's face went blank for a moment as he mulled the accusation around his mind for a moment. When a memory slowly began to surface, he gave the older man a somewhat cheeky smile. "I wondered when you'd figa' it out, mate," he said, looking slightly amused. "Honestly, I thought you'd figa' it out soona wif how smart you are n'stuff. S'neva been easy hidin' it," he admitted.

"Makes a lo' mo' sense now that I think of it," Murdoc agreed, stubbing the butt of his cigarette into the wood, causing a burn mark where the cherry was snuffed out. Then he crossed his arms and leaned his hip against the rail instead, his full attention on the lanky man beside him. "No wonda' you wouldn' tell me. I thought you were hidin' 'er cuz you thought I'd give 'er the ol' one-two! No matta' how much I tol' you I wouldn' you wouldn' budge."

"Nah, I couldn' tell yeh then," 2D said shaking his head as he threw his own out in the yard somewhere. "Bu' tell me… woul' your advice still've been tha' same if you'd knew?"

The Satanist was quiet a moment as he contemplated it. "I dun know," he said honestly. "You're tha' only one crazy enough teh take my advice. Guess it worked ou' this time. S'why you wen' for it, right?"

"Yeah," 2D laughed, showing his gap-toothed grin, even though he was still in pain. "I fink it's wot you said tha' really convinced me teh go fer wot I wanted."

Murdoc shook his head and clapped 2D hard enough on his shoulder to cause a weak whimper. Tha's wha' friends are for, mate. Tha's what friends are for."

2D found himself relaxing in the other man's presence after that. They spent the rest of that night just bullshitting and talking about the night that changed it all.

2D rested his back against the front door and banged his head back against it a couple of times in frustration. What had he been thinking? One moment they'd been at each other's throats and the next they'd been feeling each other up like horny teenagers. He couldn't believe he'd allowed himself to kiss her again. Wasn't that the whole reason he'd taken her to the club in the first place? To try and ward off her feelings for him? He ran a hand through his unruly hair in exasperation and let out a disgusted sound. Now what was he supposed to do?

A squawk suddenly cut through his angry thoughts making him jump a little in surprise as he looked around frantically to find the source. He looked over just in time to see Cortez flap his wings indignantly from the top of Murdoc's Winnebago before flying away. The Winnebago. 2D's face went slack for a moment as he stared at the decrepit locomotive. Suddenly his mind caught up with his vision and he grinned. "Tha's it!" he exclaimed before peeling himself from the door and bounding down from the front porch. If anyone could help him take his mind off of things it was Muds!

He paused a moment after approaching, then gave a timid knock. On the other side of the door he could hear some banging around and grouchy cursing before the loud footfalls of Cuban boots could be heard rushing toward him. The door flung open suddenly to reveal the bare-chested bassist. Apparently he'd been expecting someone else because he was leaning against the door frame with one arm in a slightly slouched position that 2D had seen him use several times when trying to woo the ladies. Upon seeing 2D instead of a perspective shag, he merely cocked an eye brow at him and gave the taller man's bruised face a curious once over.

"Hello, Poof," he said after an elongated silence, not bothering to move his stance since he was apparently comfortable.

"Hi, Murdoc," 2D replied with a cheery grin and before the older man could even fathom what was happening much less move, the younger man slug his fist at his face causing him to stagger back at the blow.

"Tha' fuck? Tha' how you wanna play, lil' shit!?" the Satanist growled with a hint of a smirk as he grabbed the twig of the man by the front of his shirt and threw him in before slamming the door shut. Then he flung himself forward and tackled the singer to the ground. The two struggled a few minutes kicking and punching at each other until both were satisfied and rolled away to lay on their backs breathing heavily. The oldest had a shit-eating grin on his face and the youngest looking satisfied that he'd relieved his anger in a 'healthy' fashion.

"Feel betta' now?" Murdoc asked in a gravelly voice as he sat up a bit to grab a pack of smokes. He fished out two curiously homemade looking cigarettes and rose them to his lips lighting both before offering one to the man lying beside him.

"Yeah," he said as he accepted it and closed his eyes inhaling a deep lungful. He held it a moment, realizing that this was one of Murdoc's special blends. He only released the thick plum when he felt a burn in his chest that caused him to cough a little; a warm tingling feeling washing over him as he did so.

"Wanna talk abou' it?" Muds asked as he turned his head to spit something undoubtedly nasty on the floor beside him before leaning back to relax his head on his arms as his questionable cigarette dangled lazily on his lips. When he received no answer other than 2D staring at the ceiling, he turned on his side and propped up on his elbow to glare at the other man. "Don' you ignore me, Tusspot. I know yeh betta' than anyone. If you wos too high on them pain pills o' yours you'd be lil' mo' than a paperweight righ' now." He watched as 2D's lip twitched in amusement, trying and failing not to give himself away.

This was the part of 2D and Murdoc's friendship that not many got to see. Yes, most of the time Murdoc did get pissed off and easily annoyed at 2D's slowness, but this was mostly only when 2D was so dosed up that he couldn't function. When he wasn't fogged over by his pills, he was actually rather fun to be around. It was times like this when Murdoc remembered why they were best mates. In fact there were some times when they'd find themselves watching old interviews and laughing at how ridiculous they looked.

"Do they really fink yeh call me faceache all tha' time?" 2D had asked him once after they'd watched the MTV Cribs feature together. They'd both gotten a good laugh at how twacked out he'd been staring mindlessly at that poster. It was a common occurrence that never seemed to get old. 2D never once held it against the bassist when he'd treat him like shit and get frustrated at him in that state of mind because later on when he'd be sobered up they could talk about it and make fun of the moment together. They'd even gone so far as to plan the best insults Muds could use to convince the fans of their crazy relationship. It was kind of like a big game to them because they knew it was all mostly harmless and just for the cameras.

"Paperweight?" 2D laughed incredulously, no longer able to keep it to himself as his giggles turned into a coughing fit.

"Seemed abou' right," Murdoc chuckled with a shrug. "Now, wha's go' your knickers all inna twist?"

"S'nofin' really," he replied unconvincingly, looking away from him as he busied himself playing with the unraveling paper of his smoke.

"Ah, bullshi'!"Murdoc grunted, calling him out on it. "S'been a long time fo' you commin' the me all inna huff li' tha', Stu," he pointed out, giving him a knowing look. "This abou' a bird?"

2D frowned at how perceptive the other man was and groaned, taking another drag. He looked over to see the other's dilated mismatched eyes fixed on him in a scrutinizing gaze that dared him to try and lie. "Fiiiiine," he muttered, flopping his head back down against the floor again in a huff. "Yeah, alrigh'? I go' inna figh' with tha' girl I'm kinda' seeing."

"Ohhh heheh, dooooo tell," Muds encouraged with interest. It had been a long time since he'd heard of his friend seeing someone and he wanted all the gory details.

"S'not really much teh tell," Stu admitted, nervously running his fingers through a tuft of his blue hair. "She wants us teh be exclusive an' I dun fink it's a good idea. S'not tha' I dun want to. I actually really do, but I don't fink she could withstan' the backlash. It'd ruin 'er."

"Fuuuuck," Murdoc groaned, giving him a long look. "Yeh really got feelings fo' this one," he said seriously.

"I-I guess I do," he admitted out loud for the first time, then he rolled over so that his empty gaze was focused on his friend. "I really care 'bout this one, Muds. Bu' I dun want to disappoint 'er an' I'm afraid of what'll happen if the press gets wind."

"Hn, the fuckin' press. S'always about tha' fuckin' press," he said, rolling his eyes as he sat up and flicked the butt of his cigarette into a nearby cup of water. He moved to sit cross-legged and looked down on his friend. "Look here, if ya' really li' this bird, jus' go fer it! Wha's the point n'bein' famous if yeh can' get what yeh want?"

2D's eyes widened slightly and he moved to sit up. "Bu' Muds, tha's not all! I mean, I'm a lo' olda' than 'er and I mean look at me. Half o'the time I'm eitha' stoned or 'ave a headache so bad I can' concentrate. I'm no' real bright most of tha' time neither. Wot kind of a life woul' I be giving 'er wif all tha' baggage?"

Murdoc rolled his eyes at the other man's pity-party and took a breath to calm down before speaking again. "An' does she already know 'bout all yer shit?"

"Well yes bu-"

"An' does she seem teh care?"

"Well no bu-"

"Then wot the fook'r you all worried abou'? If she c'n fall fer a black eyed, blue haired freak li' you while knowin' all yer shit then tha's worth something innit?" he asked. "I mean, shi' Stu, have you even slept with 'er yet?"

"… no," he admitted, turning a little red in the face as an image of Noodle's face scrunched in ecstasy flashed before his mind. "She's special."

Murdoc made a disgusted face and flicked his tongue out like he was trying to hold back a gag. "Ugh, Satan smite me if I eva' sound like tha'," he sneered, then shook his head. "Look, life ain't all roses an' shit, kid. If yeh want 'er, go get 'er. Don' let the fuckin' media or no one else take ova your shit. Does it look li' I give a damn when I do wha' I want? No, I do me. You shoul' do you wi' no regrets, Mate."

A thoughtful look crossed over the singer's face as he contemplated the older man's words. It made sense. He'd had a long hard life and deserved a bit of happiness. Noodle knew him inside and out and yet she still wanted him. Would it really be so hard to accept that? Was he such a masochist that he couldn't allow himself this one guilty pleasure? It wasn't like with the groupies after their concerts. He would never allow this to be some one night stand. It would have to be a real relationship.

Suddenly, the blue hair man nodded. His decision was made. And just like that, the stress seemed to melt away from his features and a relieved grin spread onto his face as he stubbed out his cigarette onto the already stained carpet. "Fanks, Murdoc!"

"Tha's wha' friends are for," he grunted, finding a bottle of crown that had been lying on the floor. He dusted it off and took a swig, relishing in the burn as the amber liquid slid down his esophagus. He offered some to 2D who took it and made a pained face as it went down. "Now! When do I ge' to meet this mystery bird?"

The singer laughed heartily at the question and smirked, "No' anytime soon, ol' man!"

"Imma getcha' one fer tha', ya' twat!" Murdoc exclaimed, bapping him upside the head good naturedly. They stayed up the whole night reminiscing until they passed out in the wee hours of the morning.

A/N: I've been looking forward to this chapter more than I should lol. I don't know if I'm very good at portraying Murdoc, but I love the idea of him and 2D looking back at certain things and laughing because they've duped the audience. I also like the idea of Murdoc calling him Tusspot just to piss him off even though he knows that's not his last name anymore.

Their greeting to each other in this one was very specific. I was reading an interview that was released a few days ago about how Jamie and Damon started talking to each other again and Jamie was talking about how they hadn't talked in three years until they'd ran into each other at a mutual friend's party. He'd recounted how he saw Damon and thought to himself 'I bet he's going to say "Hi Poof."' And then Damon came up and said exactly that and he replied, "Hi, Damon." I thought it would be funny if 2D and Muds were like that.

I figured it would make perfect sense for 2D to ask Muds for advice on something like this because I felt like he was the only one that might be able to sway 2D's morality because of the blind trust he always seems to give their leader.

More Noodle and 2D next chapter!

Now for the important decision: To Lemon or not to lemon? That is the question of the day!

Hope you enjoyed!