"You know when I said I wanted to help you, Murdoc, I didn't mean like this," 2D said towards his left, where Murdoc happened to be standing with both of his hands on his hips, looking smug.
Murdoc gave a short laugh, "Really? Well I quite enjoy this type of help that you're doing now."
In front of the two men, Murdoc's escape vehicle coasted slowly into a lake. It stopped raining a few hours ago and now the moonlight shines above, lighting the scene before the musicians. As each second passed the car got more submerged into the murky water.
"We did make sure there were no babies or animals in there, right?" 2D asked after a moment of twiddling with his hands.
Murdoc nodded, "Yeah… I'm about 99% sure."
2D turned and glared at the Satanist, "Why not 100%?"
Murdoc faced 2D and returned the glare, "Because now you're making me question myself, dullard!"
"Don't call me that no more!" The singer snapped back, "If you want my help than you ain't gonna put me down no more."
"Never said I wanted your help, mate," Murdoc replied and fished out his cigarette pack from his pocket. The singer took him to get some essentials before they dumped the car as per Murdoc's request. Currently he was carrying his new pack of cigarettes, a wallet he nabbed from the car, and his old flask full of vodka he found in his cabinet. The alcohol tasted nasty and stale, so he only took one sip of the thing before dumping it into the very lake they were standing before.
Crossing his arms, the singer refused to back down, "Well if you ever want to join Gorillaz again then you'd let me help you."
"You can help me by giving me a light." Murdoc didn't know how much more of this hot-shot 2D he can take. He thinks he knows everything and Murdoc isn't allowed to protest lest he get sent back to prison. The bassist managed to avoid talking about his feelings on the ride here despite 2D practically begging him to. If he wanted to go to therapy, he would have in prison.
2D grumbled to himself but pulled out his lighter anyways. The light from the fire added a soft glow to both men's faces. With the cigarette in his mouth Murdoc leaned forward and lit the end.
With a wink Murdoc said, "Cheers."
The singer rolled his eyes in response, exaggerating it so the bassist could see what his blacked-out eyes are doing. Murdoc has been difficult with him since he found him in bed. He accepted his request to help him but refused any attempt 2D made to talk to him. At least he hasn't hit him yet, but 2D won't let himself be impressed with that. Any normal human being should be able to stop themselves from hurting others. The second Murdoc strikes him he will call the police. He will never let himself become Murdoc's personal punching bag again. His therapist helped him realize his self-worth and he knows now that his wellbeing is worth more than Murdoc's vices.
The only visible part of the car now was the bubbles that came up to the surface of the lake. Murdoc took a drag of his cigarette. "We got all of the identifying things, yeah?" Murdoc asked.
2D held up the plastic grocery bag he was holding, "License plate, insurance card, registration, and you have the wallet, right?"
"Yep," Murdoc replied, making a popping sound for emphasis.
"What are we gonna do now?" The singer dropped his arm and let the bag dangle loosely in his hand again. This whole situation is something he would be used to maybe 16 years ago, but now after the fairly legal activities in the spirit house he isn't sure how to feel about doing criminal activities again.
The bassist tapped some ash off his cigarette before he spoke, "Well the Uber should be at the bar a little bit that way in a little while," he pointed behind them and to the right, "We can either burn this stuff now, or wait until the morning. That hotel that you booked should be okay for now, but I'm going to feel more comfortable when we leave England."
"Leave England? I can't, Murdoc, we're on tour!" 2D shot Murdoc a look.
Murdoc returned the look, "Well I just took a leisurely stroll out of prison! I can't bloody stay here and wait for the cops to pick me back up."
2D took a moment to think and pulled out his own cigarette pack. After taking a drag he found what he wanted to say, "If we're gonna do this… whatever we're doin', then we're gonna do it my way."
"Dents-"
"Listen, Murdoc-"
"No you listen to me-"
2D kicked at the dirt, sending rocks and mud into the lake. "If you won't listen to me then why should I listen to you? We've been doing everything your way since the band was even a band and look where that lead us! You just escaped a prison."
If there was anything Murdoc was good at other than playing the bass and sex it was arguing, and 2D seemed to let him argue without threatening him. "Mate, even you know that I was put there for bullshit reasons. I didn't even get a trial!"
"That's not even the point I was tryin' to make," 2D shifted awkwardly on his feet, "Can you just trust me this one time to make all the decisions?"
Murdoc let out an involuntary growl. Did he even have a choice in the matter? "You aren't… 2D, you can't…" He was really struggling to not insult the taller man. He knows he needs to play nice to get his way this time, but he really doesn't think he trusts 2D. 2D never came to visit him, didn't take his calls, made a whole album without him, and insulted him in interviews. The reason he made the Free Murdoc hashtag wasn't to inform the public about that horrible soul harvester, it was his only way to get help. His fans that hardly even knew him were more willing to help him than 2D. Did they help because they didn't know him? Is it because he's so horrible that- No it isn't. "Stuart, I'll be honest here, mate, I don't trust you."
2D looked very surprised at this confession. He was sure that Murdoc was going to tell him off. "Oh um… Well how about this then; I'll be in charge, but if I get us in trouble or do something to hurt us I'll take a step back and let you take the lead. However, you won't be pushin' me around no more. I'll listen to you, but don't force me to do anything I don't want to."
Murdoc flicked his cigarette butt into the lake while he contemplated the offer. It shouldn't be that bad, right? Just follow the dullard's lead and take over when he's being a dullard. It was alright, he can go with this. Soon enough he'll be in the clear and can go back to doing whatever he wants to do.
Is it really that hard for you to go without degrading him?
You're turning into your father.
Murdoc grunted at the unwelcomed thoughts that popped into his head. He hates it when his conscience decides to show itself. He wishes that when he sold his soul they had taken his conscience with them. The feeling of guilt or humiliation that came with those thoughts was usually enough to make him want to get black-out drunk.
The singer noticed the other man's discomfort and tilted his head. Is the thought of him being in charge really causing Murdoc this much stress? 2D knows that he isn't as stupid as the media sometimes portrays him. He's clumsy and he always has been; he also forgets things sometimes due to his brain damage, but he isn't dumb. Not being able to take his self-doubts he asks Murdoc, "Are you alright?"
Murdoc snapped his head back up and looked 2D in the eyes for a moment, "Mm, yeah fine…" He let out a breath he had been holding, "Lead the way, captain."
It took 2D a moment to realize what the bassist said. "Oh! Alright yeah let's head out then. We should go now so we can catch our Uber," He said with a small smile. Without hesitation 2D turned on his heels and headed towards the direction of the bar that they needed to go to. He dropped his cigarette on the ground and stepped on it as he went.
Murdoc looked at his own shoes as he followed along willingly. That was the first time he's seen 2D smile since he's gotten out of prison. He isn't sure why it made him feel a bit better about this shitty situation, probably some bloody psychological bullshit.
As they left the clearing by the lake, trees began to cover the men's view of the sky. Through the leaves they could see the stars and occasionally the moon, but the path out of the lake area was much darker than the clearing itself. 2D pulled out his phone and turned on the flashlight to guide them. The sound of crickets and crunching leaves made the silence much less awkward.
Despite the natural sounds of the forest, 2D still felt a bit uneasy with the quiet, especially after seeing Murdoc almost in pain back at the lake. He spoke up after a few more minutes of walking, "Would you like to hear some of the new album? I didn't know if you were able to listen to it while you were in prison and all that."
Murdoc scowled at the offer, "I would very much prefer not to."
The singer picked at his fingernails, "Are you sure? The fans have been sayin' that they really like it."
That stung Murdoc on the inside. The fans liking the new album made the Satanist feel like the band and the fans didn't need or want him… Maybe they truly didn't. It was a dreadful feeling that he hasn't felt in a very long time. The last time he felt this way he spent the night in the yard after his father- Murdoc felt a shiver down his spine. Let's not continue that train of thought. "I'm… I'm sure, Dents," He replied quieter and with less bite than he intended. He could feel his face heat up from the embarrassment of how timid he sounded.
2D didn't say anything else after that. He has never heard Murdoc sound like that. Maybe he was just worn-out; it would make sense since he's had a big day and all. The singer couldn't help but feel a bit worried for the bassist. Did the whole album thing really make him that distraught? He didn't sound angry, if anything he might have sounded a bit afraid, but not entirely afraid. 2D doesn't even know why he feels as much concern as he does for Murdoc, he was still supposed to be upset with him, right? This is the man that has mentally tortured him on and off for years, and 2D feels bad for him just because he sounds a bit upset. Why is his head so complicated?
The pair reached the end of the dirt track and turned to walk along the actual road. They should arrive at the bar in maybe 10 minutes, they had plenty of time before their Uber was there. If the mood wasn't awkward before it certainly was now. Neither of the men felt comfortable at that moment but didn't want to say anything either in fear of making it worse.
Eventually they arrived at where they needed to be. Seeing that the car they were looking for wasn't here yet Murdoc sat on the nearest bench. 2D hovered beside the bench but didn't sit down. The light emanating from the bar lit the parking lot. Dull music can be heard behind the walls; some sort of modern pop song. Both musicians had their eyes on the road, not looking at each other.
Murdoc did not like how 2D was just standing there. It made the bassist feel short and inferior but refused to stand back up and face the embarrassment that would come from that. He crossed his arms over his chest and kept looking ahead as he said, "Hey, Stu-pot, if I gave you some money would you go get me a drink?"
2D took his eyes off the road to look down at the Satanist who refused to look back at him. He kind of wanted a drink himself. Murdoc wouldn't take the Uber and leave while he was in there though, would he? It was possible, Murdoc didn't seem to like the idea of the singer being in charge. Would he even care if Murdoc left without him? It would kind of prove that he really doesn't care about the singer in a way. 2D really didn't like that idea but couldn't stop thinking about it. "I'll get you a drink if I can get myself something too," He said.
"Now it's a bloody party, isn't it?" Murdoc chuckled to himself and fished out a wallet from his pocket; notably it wasn't his. He took out some bank notes and held them up to the singer, finally looking at him.
In response the taller man shot Murdoc a questioning look, "That isn't even your money, Murdoc!"
Murdoc shrugged but kept the smile on his face, "We've done worse, you know that. Plus, I don't have any money right now. I'm practically broke and homeless."
Grumbling, 2D took the bills and flipped through them, counting the amount. "Alright, but this is the last illegal thing we do until we get your prison thing situated."
"Other than you housing a run-away convict of course," The bassist replied with new-found smugness.
"Yeah… that," 2D said now making his way towards the entrance of the bar. "I'll be right back, what would you like?"
Murdoc stretched and put his hands behind his head, "Some whisky please, thanks dear."
The singer rolled his eyes and went inside. The bar wasn't particularly busy that night, but it had enough people to keep it open until its usual closing time. He pulled out his phone and looked at the time which happened to be 12:58 AM. The Uber should be here any second now. 2D approached the bartender and asked, "Can I just have a bottle of whiskey, please?" Murdoc would have to share.
The man behind the bar nodded and turned around to grab one of the bottles of brown liquid. "Does the brand matter?" The man asked.
"No, I don't think so." 2D paid with the stolen money and thanked the man.
As he approached the exit the singer became gradually more nervous. What would he do if Murdoc wasn't there? What is he going to do if Murdoc is there? He's still supposed to be on tour with the band. He can't just bring Murdoc back; the rest of the band would have a heart attack. He needs to think of something tonight; he said he would be in charge after all.
As he exited the bar he saw Murdoc leaning against a red SUV-type car. The car beeped, and Murdoc shouted, "I said wait a second! See? Look there he is!" The bassist gestured to 2D wildly. As the singer semi-jogged closer Murdoc said a bit quieter, "People these days are bloody rude, Dents."
2D couldn't stop himself from smiling and handed the bottle to Murdoc, "It iis/i one in the mornin', they probably want to go to bed." He watched the bassist try and fail at hiding a smile. 2D hummed a small laugh.
Murdoc could hardly remember what they were talking about, he was too focused on his singer. When he left the bar, he perked up the moment he saw Murdoc and had a huge grin plastered on his face. It almost looked like he just woke up on Christmas morning. He wonders what made him so giddy. Remembering what 2D said he replied, "I want to go to bed as well."
"We do have a hotel room waitin' for us, Muds. Let's go," The singer said pushing past Murdoc to get into the car. He gave a cheerful greeting to their Uber driver and scooted over to make room for Murdoc. For some reason he isn't as worried anymore. They'll take things one at a time.