((i do not own gorillaz: all rights go to jamie hewlett and damon albarn!))

"Good morning," Russel said cheerfully, swooping down to put a plate of eggs and bacon on the table.

Murdoc, grumpy and sarcastic as usual, was nursing a bad hangover, courtesy of last night's partying. He had almost gotten in a fight, and if it hadn't been for Russel, the bassist would've spent the night in a jail cell.

2D was tired. he hadn't slept well last night. He had dark circles under his eyes, plus a pounding headache that wasn't going away, despite the dangerous amount of painkillers that he had taken not only five minutes ago.

Noodle was the last one to arrive at the breakfast table. She kept her head down, and was somehow able to munch a piece of toast even though her hair was covering most of her face.

Russel poured coffee and orange juice, humming lightly as he did so.

Their drummer was way too sunshiney and bright for a morning like this.

It was raining outside.

It started out as a slow gray drizzle, but now it was pouring. Raindrops thudded on the roof like a drum beat that no one asked for.

It was hurting 2D's head. He winced, put a hand on his temple, and walked up the stairs into his bedroom. He downed a couple more pills and sat on his bed, waiting for them to kick in.

Noodle sat alone at the table. Murdoc hauled himself onto the couch and passed out. Russel had gone out, hopefully to get groceries.

Noodle sat on a chair in the living room and flipped on the TV. On one of the couch cushions was an ice cream stain from the night before. She smiled, thinking of the memory, but it faded quickly.

The television screen shone with bright colors. A loud cartoon was on, featuring a pink rabbit and a green pony.

"We don't have enough sparkleberries to finish our pie!" The rabbit wailed, huge tears leaking out of its eyes.

"OH NO!" The pony screamed. "THE HORROR, THE HORROR!"

Noodle stared. This was ridiculous.

A low grunt made her jump.

"What is this shit?" Murdoc said from the couch, rubbing his eyes and looking irritable.

"I don't know. It was just on."

"Well, turn it off. It's bloody annoying." He closed his eyes and grumbled to himself.

"Sorry," Noodle whispered. She turned off the TV and sat on her chair with her knees up to her chest.

Murdoc opened one eye. Then another, after seeing the expression on the guitarist's face.

"Erm... you all right?"

Silence.

"I didn't mean to snap at you," he said. "It's just... I have a hangover, and it's loud and obnoxious; sort of like faceache, hawhawhaw."

More silence.

"Noodle." Murdoc sat up and gave her an inquisitive look. "What?"

Noodle looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "Is there something wrong with me?"

That wasn't what he was expecting. "Sorry, what?"

"Nothing. Never mind," she said, staring at her lap.

Murdoc squinted at her. What was she talking about? Did a fan give her crap or something?

"There's nothing wrong with you, Noodle. Why would you say that?"

She shrugged.

A thought came to him. What if it was a bloke? Did some dunce say something to damage his little girl's self-esteem? If that was the case, there was going to be some serious butt-kicking to do.

"Noods, if this is about some boyfriend of yours..."

"I don't have any boyfriends," she said.

Murdoc relaxed. "Oh. Well, if there is one, and I find out he's layin' even a finger on you, I'll knock him on his arse."

Noodle gave a small smile. "Okay."

She still looked a bit dejected, so he came over to where she was sitting and awkwardly put his arms around her. She returned the embrace, smiling wider. "Thanks, Murdoc."

After a few seconds, he began to feel uncomfortable and broke from the girl's grip.

"I, um, should go sleep it off. Wake me if you need something. Actually, no. Go bother the dullard. He should be in his room."

Noodle laughed nervously. "I'm just gonna go to my room."

"Whatever." He waved a hand and flopped back onto the couch.

"There's nothing you can say to her

I am without a heart

And the space has been broken..."

Noodle froze on the top stair.

2D's haunting, fluid voice filled the air. She felt the urge to run to her room, but decided she needed to face him.

Get ahold of yourself. He's just a man. A beautiful man... with soft blue hair and knowing eyes and strong hands and a warm smile... GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF. Noodle shook her head and stood outside 2D's door.

"Broken, our love...

Broken..."

Noodle cleared her throat timidly and 2D flinched, almost dropping the guitar that he had been strumming gently.

"Oh, hullo."

"Hey."

"W-what's up?"

"Nothing. Just wanted to see if maybe you wanted to talk?"

"Uh, yeah, sure. What about?"

Noodle dug her fingernails into her palms. "WellumIthoughtwecouldtalkaboutus..."

2D scratched his head. "Sorry, didn't quite catch that."

"I thought we could talk about us."

2D knew what was coming. She was going to give him the whole "It's not you, it's me" speech. He felt his heart grow heavy.

Noodle sat on the edge of his bed. "There's... something I need to tell you, 2D."

Here it comes. He swallowed the lump in his throat, ready for the letdown.

"I-"

Suddenly 2D felt himself standing in front of her. "No."

"What? I-I didn't say anything yet."

"No, Noods. I 'ave to say something first. I was afraid to say it before, but... things have been different since we came back from Plastic Beach. You're different. You're grown up, I suppose. I know you're not a little girl anymore, but it still makes me feel guilty."

"What makes you feel guilty?" Noodle reached for his hand to reassure him.

2D's looked away, trying to avoid her puzzled gaze. "The way I feel about you."

Noodle couldn't breathe. Was he serious? The very thing she had came in here for... and he had just said it.

"How do you feel about me?"

2D felt his hands get sweaty. Oh, God. She hates me. She's going to laugh in my face, or worse.

"2D?"

"I love you!" he shouted.

The room was quiet. The world seemed to stop.

Noodle sat, shocked at his outburst. "You what?"

"Don't make me say it again," he begged. "You 'eard me. I love you. I love yer 'air , I love yer smile, I love the way you can practice for hours and still find time to hang out with me, I. Love. You."

Noodle was speechless.

"I didn't say anything because I was afraid you'd think I was I creep or somefink. I'm, you know, old, and you're young and beautiful and talented, and everything I know I could never have. Remember last night? I couldn't even sit next to you without having a nervous breakdown! Oh, and Murdoc. Murdoc! Do you know what he'd do if he saw me an' you together?"

Noodle put a hand over his mouth. "Shut up." She removed her hand and kissed him.

2D's entire body buzzed with energy. Her lips were warm and soft. They tasted like strawberries. He felt woozy, but it wasn't from the painkillers.

Noodle pulled him closer, grabbing the front of his tshirt. 2D responded by putting a hand on her cheek, cradling it gently.

When they broke apart, Noodle was out of breath and 2D was bright red like a firetruck.

"I love you too," she said.