Chapter 12: Taking Back the Spirit House, Part 2
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
2D morosely picked at the grass, mindlessly weaving the pliant strands into bracelets. There wasn't much else for him to do, having been left out of the action unfolding in the house which loomed meters away from him.
The singer lifted his head. Straining his ears, he could hear shouting and whooping amongst the zombie-ish groans coming from the Spirit House; it sounded like the plan was going smoothly. Heck, it sounded like his bandmates were having fun. The singer frowned, tying a braided mass of grass around his wrist. Petty as it might be, he felt left out.
Lights appeared behind the second-floor windows; they had made it safely upstairs to Murdoc's room. 2D watched as a silhouette with a scythe appeared through the curtains, swinging before dashing out of view. The undead howls were growing fewer and fewer. Slowly but surely, the house became silent.
2D could hear his bandmates cheering. He thought he could hear high-fives as well. Sounds like they've finished off all the zombies, 2D thought. Stretching and wiggling his toes in his shoes, 2D wondered if he should go ahead in or wait for someone to come out and fetch him.
The singer jumped when a burst of green light lit the whole house, pouring blindingly through the windows and seeping through the cracks in the wood. The windows shattered; shards of glass tinkled as they rained over the lawn. 2D raised an arm to protect his face as the smallest shards flew towards him, grazing his skin and leaving painful nicks in their wake. Wincing, 2D listened as a voice- Russel's, he thought- shouted, "Guys, watch out! They're putting themselves back together!"
His heart beating faster, 2D listened as terrible moans filled the air once more. Through the broken windows, sounds came to the singer much more clearly- shouts, thuds, warnings, shrieks, and an ear-splitting roar…
"Aw man, not that thing again!" Russel's booming voice pierced the air. 2D gulped. The spirits must have arrived.
Shredding the grass nervously, the singer bit his lip, listening to his bandmates' battle cries. I hope they're all right in there…
"Why aren't these things dying anymore?" He heard Charlene cry.
"What the heck! There's a giant worm in here!" Little Simz exclaimed.
"Lead it in here! The hellhole's almost ready!" Murdoc hollered.
As he listened, 2D felt a tremble creep up his spine. He didn't feel left out anymore, or ashamed, or sad. He just felt scared. The moans of the undead weren't lessening as they had before, and his bandmates' calls were less excited and more frantic. He could hear the zombies and spirits crashing around, wreaking havoc, and definitely not dying, over the pounding of his frantic heartbeat. His fingers fisted into the grass as 2D tried to reassure himself.
I hope they're all okay… They're stronger than me, they have to be okay! Especially Noodle, she's the strongest of any of us! 2D squeezed his eyes shut and focussed on steadying his breathing. They'll all be fine. Noodle will definitely be fi-
"Ah! Let go, you stupid worm!"
Noodle.
2D's eyes snapped open.
In an instant he was on his feet, knuckles blanched white over the handle of his scythe. His worried thoughts went still. The singer focused on the shouts. He could hear frustration, panic, and desperation coming from his bandmates. Raucous, evil cackles signified the spirits' glee.
2D felt something rising within him, something powerful, something angry. This time, the feeling wasn't possessing him. It was him. His fear forgotten, 2D opened his mouth wide as a scream of rage ripped through his throat.
"STAY AWAY FROM MY FRIENDS!"
He charged. Slamming into the front door with all his might, 2D took the impediment off its hinges, sending it crashing to the floor. With livid eyes, he absorbed the scene in front of him.
Charlene was backed into a corner, swinging her scythe madly to keep the zombies at bay. Just in front of the staircase, the many-armed spirit grinned as he held Russel in the air by his ankles. Zombies crowded around the drummer's head; he was barely able to keep them at bay with his weapon.
Letting loose a frightening caterwaul, 2D sprang forward, sweeping his scythe with such force that the spines of four surrounding zombies were severed. Before they had time to recover, 2D was past them. Using another zombie as a springboard, 2D leaped into the air, flying with his scythe outstretched towards the eye of the many-armed spirit. Blade met cornea, and the spirit howled, dropping Russel to the floor. Blinded, the spirit threw its arms out with rage, hoping to catch the singer, only to cry out once more as several of its arms were disembodied in the single swipe of the curved steel blade. Cringing, the spirit pulled its remaining arms back to its body, slithering backwards as the blade continued its assault. 2D hacked at the spirit like a madman, screaming all the while, "GET LOST! LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE!"
The spirit fled up the stairway. 2D pursued.
Catching up to his target, 2D swung his scythe in a wide arc, removing two more arms. The singer's eyes had blanched white and were practically glowing as he snarled at the spirit who had tormented him and his friends. With a strength he never knew he had, 2D continued to hack at the spirit, giving no quarter and showing no mercy in his frenzied madness. The spirit screeched, slithering away blindly before barreling into a nearby room. Murdoc's room.
2D stormed the room in time to see the spirit race towards a gaping, swirling scarlet hole situated in the middle of the floor within the chalk outline of a very large, satanic-looking star. The whole room was bathed in the evil red glow of the portal.
Murdoc, who was attempting to fend off zombies with the rod of a broken scythe, looked up with a gasp as he saw the spirit charge forward, his grip tightening around his rod. His eyebrows jumped with surprise as the panicked spirit plunged willingly into the hellhole. He was even more surprised when he met eyes with the cause of the spirit's distress. Framed in the open doorway, 2D was an intimidating sight, with a bloody scythe in his hands and his murderous scowl dyed red in the light of the hellhole.
"Faceache? What're you doing in here?"
2D barely heard him. The singer turned towards the far side of the room, where a familiar guitarist was grappling with a large blue worm. The worm's body was marred with numerous cuts from Noodle's scythe, but it appeared to have lately gained the upper hand in their struggle. Its tail end was wrapped just under the blade of Noodle's scythe. The guitarist herself was attempting to both pull her weapon out of the spirit's grip and leap away from the front half of the worm as it tried to catch her in its coils.
2D screeched as he darted forward, swinging his scythe towards the worm's head. The spirit dodged, and 2D snarled angrily as his blade whistled through empty air. Using the momentum of his swing, 2D spun in a complete circle and aimed his blade once more towards the worm. The spirit dodged again, but this time, 2D let go of his scythe, allowing it to fly through the air and pierce the spirit's tail-end, just ahead of where it held the scythe. The spirit wailed as its tail spasmed jerkily, sending both scythes flying off and clattering together on the floor.
2D and Noodle raced towards their weapons, meeting eyes briefly before picking up their respective scythes and standing shoulder to shoulder, facing the worm, who hissed at them furiously.
"Quick, drive it to the hellhole!" Murdoc shouted towards them. "It won't last much longer!"
Without saying a word, the singer and the guitarist stepped apart, circling the worm in opposite directions until one was on either side of the creature. It glanced rapidly from side to side as the humans closed in, trying to pull its scarred body away from its attackers. 2D and Noodle began to slash at the worm, forcing it to back towards the hellhole.
The worm glanced towards the swirling red vortex, then back towards its attackers. It knew the jig was up; the zombies were distracted with the green human, and if it tried to attack one of its opponents, the other opponent would take advantage of its distraction and slice it in half. The worm turned towards the hole, pretending to give in, preparing to dive-
In the blink of an eye it swerved towards Noodle, catching her waist in its tail before diving headfirst into the hellhole.
Noodle shrieked as she was yanked off her feet, falling onto the ground. The worm, already halfway down the hole, pulled her forward swiftly. As she felt her feet go over the edge of the hole, Noodle swung her scythe into the floorboards, holding on desperately to keep from going over the edge. Nevertheless, the weight if the worm pulled her deeper. The scythe dragged through the wood, leaving an ugly gash as the blade crept closer to the edge. Noodle's hips went over, then her chest, then her arms-
Then 2D was standing over her, at the edge of the pit. His scythe flashed forward, severing the thick coils where they wound around her back. The worm fell away, but Noodle's stomach dropped as she felt the tip of her scythe clear the edge of the pit; she was falling-
She jerked to a stop; the blade of her scythe was caught on the blade of 2D's. With determination in his eyes and power no one would have expected him to have, 2D pulled upward on his scythe, raising it up until he could grab Noodle's scythe, then grab her hand, then pull her back over the edge.
2D collapsed backwards onto the wooden floor, Noodle falling on top of him. He panted heavily, his breaths pushing and pulling the hair of the guitarist who lay on his chest as it rapidly rose and fell. The red glow in the room flickered as the hellhole lost its power, shuddering before disappearing forever, taking the spirits with it. 2D heard several thuds…
"Yeah, and stay dead!" the singer heard Murdoc growl at the zombies, who had apparently lost their ability to recover after the spirits' departure.
2D didn't care much for the zombies. The angry haze began to fade from his mind, replaced by a desperate urge to hug the guitarist on his chest as tightly as he could manage. "Noodle," 2D whispered, sliding his arms over her back, pulling her closer to him. He buried his head into the crook of her neck as he continued to murmur softly, "Noodle, Noodle, Noodle…"
"It's alright, 2D, I'm fine," Noodle mumbled back, twitching in his arms. It occurred to 2D that Noodle might be somewhat uncomfortable with her face pressed into his shoulder and he reluctantly loosened his grip. Her palms on his chest, Noodle straightened her shoulders, rising slowly above him, and looked 2D in the eyes. 2D gazed back at her.
She's got that mysterious look again… I wish I knew what she was thinking… 2D continued to gaze at the guitarist, wanting nothing more than for her to sink back into his arms. He wouldn't mind if they hugged for the rest of the evening. However, to his dismay, she clambered off him, rising to her feet before offering him a hand up.
Taking the offered hand, 2D lifted himself off the ground. He rose unsteadily to his feet, only to sway backwards as a wave of exhaustion rolled through his body. Dimly, he felt Noodle prop herself under his shoulder as he struggled to breathe evenly, willing away the spots dancing before his eyes-
SLAM!
In a moment 2D's dizziness was forgotten. Spinning to face the door, he dropped into a crouch, snarling as he took in the latest threat to his friend's safety-
"Woah, 'D! It's just me!" Russel exclaimed, holding his hands in front of him in a peacemaking stance. The bandmates looked on with concern as 2D stared blankly at Russel, his eyes sheet-white and his breathing heavy. A few tense moments passed, during which nobody moved, not wanting to set off the maddened singer. When the tension visibly left 2D's shoulders and his body began to droop towards the floor, the band collectively let out a sigh of relief.
Noodle rushed forward to catch 2D before he could tip over. Crouching still, he leaned into her as she soothed, "Hey, Toochie; we're all safe now. The spirits are gone, you can relax. You fought very well."
"I'll say!" Russel added. "Man, you nearly gave me a heart attack with your screechin' and slashin'! I almost thought you were possessed again!"
"Congratulations, Stuart; you're not as dull as I expected you to be!" Murdoc said with a grin and a hint of pride in his voice.
Despite the energy-drained fuzziness in his mind, 2D smiled. It was nice to hear Murdoc compliment him for once.
"Where's Simz? Didn't she come up here with you all?" Charlene asked, peering out from behind Russel to glance between Murdoc and Noodle.
"I heard her facing the worm-spirit before it came in here," Noodle replied, her brow furrowing with worry. "We should make sure she's okay. I think she was in 2D's room."
A murmur of agreement passed through the room. As his bandmates left the room, 2D began to rise from his crouch. His knees were still a little shaky from his recent exertion, but when he felt Noodle's arm wind warmly around his waist, he allowed her to haul him to his feet, and leaned onto her shoulder as he found his balance. Together, they stepped slowly towards the door.
2D's thoughts churned as the guitarist pulled him down the hallway towards his room. His mind was still reeling after the flood of emotions which had taken over him during his latest rampage. Wincing slightly at the throbbing of his overloaded brain, 2D tried to relax, focusing on the steady pressure of Noodle's arm around his waist and the warmth of her side pressed against him. It was stable, comforting. Under her influence, he soon found the clutter in his mind dissolving and his steps growing surer as they arrived at the entrance of his room.
Noodle stopped in her tracks, causing 2D to jerk to a stop beside her.
Their bandmates were clustered around Little Simz, who stood in the center of the room. She was rubbing the heels of her hands against her eyes as if they were irritated. When she lowered her hands, 2D shivered as he observed the glowing white hue of her eyes. He felt Noodle's arm tighten around his waist.
"Man, my eyes feel weird!" Little Simz complained, blinking forcefully.
"Your eyes are glowing," Russel replied.
"What, like yours?" Simz replied, confused. As Russel nodded, Charlene reached into her pocket and, after a bit of rustling around, pulled out a makeup compact. She handed it to Simz, who opened it, observed her reflection, and promptly dropped it. The compact hit the ground with a crack.
"What the heck? What happened to my eyes?" Simz shouted.
"Can you tell us what happened before we came in?" Noodle inquired, tilting her head curiously. "Did the worm-spirit do anything to you before it left the room?"
"I'm not sure; I blacked out for a minute after… after…" Little Simz bowed her head thoughtfully. Having endured this struggle himself many times in the past, 2D could tell that she was trying to reach into her memory. Hopefully, 2D thought, she'll have a better memory than I do…
Little Simz snapped her fingers, looking back up. "It lunged towards me, and its eye was glowing. I punched it in the eye, and then there was a bright flash of light… I was thrown into the wall. That's all I remember. When I woke back up, you guys were just about to enter this room"
Charlene was nodding her head sagely. "I think I've read about this. Contact, especially very forceful contact, with a spiritually charged object can result in an explosive transfer of power. You may have absorbed some of the worm's spiritual energy."
"Will it go away? I'd rather not have glowing eyes for the rest of my life. No offense, Russel." Little Simz dipped her head towards the drummer.
"Well," Murdoc growled, "the zombies lost their power when those two spirits disappeared, so those spirits must have been directly in control of those zombies. If the big spirit that possessed 2D was directly in charge of those two spirits, then we can expect that your eyes will keep glowing until the big spirit has been gotten rid of." Murdoc's bad eye rolled up and down, as if nodding in agreement with the statement.
2D cringed. It had been funny at first, but that eye was starting to make him feel queasy.
"That being said," Charlene chipped in, "We'd better start making a fresh batch of powder. If I get started right away, I could have it ready by dawn while you all get a bit of sleep."
"I'm going to need a room to sleep in," Said Little Simz.
"We haven't got an extra room," Murdoc said with a sly grin, "But I'm always willing to share my own bed."
Little Simz grimaced.
"Actually," Charlene interceded, "you should probably stay in this room with me. There aren't very many zombie corpses in this spot, and I need to be able to keep an eye on you, in case the spiritual energy has any unexpected side effects."
"That sounds good to me," Little Simz said, smiling at Charlene.
Murdoc turned away sulkily. "I'll go grab your bloody candles," he grumbled.
An uncomfortable thought suddenly occurred to 2D. "Hey… umm… if you guys are sleeping in my room, does that mean I have to share a bed with Murdoc?"
Silence.
Murdoc looked like he was about to explode.
2D bit his lip, wondering if he needed to run.
Russel, Charlene, Little Simz, and Noodle broke into fits of laughter.
"Just take a bloody couch, Dullard!" Murdoc hissed.
. . .
The moon glowed high overhead as 2D and his bandmates walked onto the lawn, dragging putrid corpses through the grass behind them. They tossed their loads onto a pile of bodies which had grown to the size of an SUV over the past half-hour of cleaning. As they stood back to admire their handiwork, Murdoc spoke.
"Alright, Noodle, the bodies are outside. Can I please go to sleep now?"
Noodle rolled her eyes. "Yes, Murdoc. And you can do so without the scent of decaying flesh creeping into your dreams."
"Whatever. I just want to get some shut-eye before the sodding powder is ready!"
The group trudged back into the house, and Russel locked the door securely behind them. 2D stretched, eyeing the hallway which led to their sitting room. I hope sleeping on the couch doesn't give me a backache… I felt terrible after that time Murdoc made me sleep on the porch, with only outdoor chair cushions-
"2D."
The singer turned towards Noodle. "Yes, love?"
"We still have to have that talk I mentioned earlier, just after your possession," Noodle said. "Come with me to the basement."
2D felt his gut twist. Is she still mad at me? I mean, I did set off the zombie apocalypse, try to destroy everyone, and kiss her without her permission. The singer fidgeted and glanced down at his toes, frowning. "Yes, Noodle."
Murdoc's vindictive chuckle pierced the air. "Ooh, he's really in for it now!"
"Man, stay out of it," Russel grumbled to Murdoc. "Their talk is none of your business."
Noodle tilted her head to the side, throwing Murdoc a sarcastic frown. "You know, Murdoc, it was really impolite of you to offer to share your bed with Little Simz but take away the offer when 2D was in need. Maybe I should escort him to your room once our talk is over. I could stick around for a while to make sure you share your bed and play nice. Maybe I'll even bring a camera, so that we can all remember how nice you can be to 2D when you try."
Murdoc shot Noodle a glare, one eye twitching venomously. "I'm going to bed. If 2D so much as walks up these stairs, I'm knocking him back down." Murdoc turned sharply and stomped up the stairs. Laughing softly, Russel followed, leaving 2D and Noodle in the foyer, alone.
2D glanced warily towards Noodle. The guitarist met his gaze calmly and, with a beckoning nod of her head, led the way down the basement staircase. His feet dragging, 2D followed.
The pair reached the bottom floor. 2D's shoulders sagged guiltily as they strode past the scattered remains of the exploded spirit piano. He listlessly kicked a solitary ivory piano key as Noodle opened the door to her room, flipped on a light switch, and waved for 2D to enter. He silently walked into the room, not making eye contact with the guitarist as she shut the door behind them.
2D stood awkwardly in the center of Noodle's room. The dim lamplight from her bedside table made visible a number of interesting boxes and items, but rather than observe his bandmate's room, 2D looked down, twiddling his fingers, allowing the tense silence of the room to wash over him. He could hear the door creak as Noodle leaned back against it, and imagined she was facing him. The singer gulped, steeling himself. Well, I guess I'd better get this over with. 2D cleared his throat nervously. "Umm, Noodle… I just wanted to tell you… that I'm sorry… really sorry… about… well… everything, really, that's happened today-"
"Stop."
2D's voice broke off. He nervously looked up at Noodle, taking in her serious expression and her deep green eyes. "2D, I don't want you to be sorry for anything. I am the one who should be sorry."
2D tilted his head to the side, confused. "What? I… I don't understand…"
"I left you here alone," Noodle continued. "I knew you weren't feeling well about this house. Charlene had just confirmed that there were seriously evil spirits here. But instead of waiting to make sure you got out of the house safely for the night, I sped off to the gym. I didn't think about you. I just left."
2D frowned, his head drooping. Hearing those words only made him feel guiltier about how he couldn't take care of himself. It's like I'm an oversized child, forcing others to take care of me… The singer's shoulders sagged even lower with sorrow. "You shouldn't have to think about me. You should be free to do whatever you want. It's not your fault that I can't even protect my own brain from a stupid spirit. You were right not to wait for me."
"But you would have waited for me."
Noodle's words hung in the air. 2D stared at his friend, not knowing how to respond. Then Noodle continued.
"You have always waited for me. You were always waiting when I was little, so that you would be there when I needed someone to play with. You waited when you wrote songs, to hear what I had to say about them. You waited at Plastic Beach, hoping that Russel or I would rescue you. You waited when we came to this house for someone to take you concerns seriously. You even waited while you were possessed, ready to help me when I showed up and nearly got possessed myself. And just an hour ago, you waited outside, listening out for the band even after we left you out, and the moment I needed help, you were there."
"I wait for you because I'm helpless on my own!" 2D wailed, frustration and shame bursting from his voice.
"No, you're not." Noodle stated firmly, taking a step forward. She stared at him intensely. "Would a helpless man be able to do what you did today? Or survive years in the middle of the ocean with only Murdoc for company?"
"I got possessed and kidnapped. That sounds pretty helpless to me," spat 2D bitterly. He made no effort to fight back the wave of self-loathing that washed over him at the thought of what kind of pitiful person Noodle had to put up with in her life.
The voice that responded to his lament was gentle and sad. "2D, everyone needs help sometimes. It's not your fault that you ended up in those situations." 2D opened his eyes mournfully to meet his friends gaze. His lip trembled with sorrow at the undeserved care and emotion he could see in her face as she continued, "What matters the most is that, after all you've been through, you still hang on. Through all of your pain and fear, you wait, and I know that you don't do it for your own sake."
2D replied in a faint, small voice, "I've always had someone worth waiting for."
"Aren't you also a person worth waiting for?" Noodle suggested softly.
2D didn't respond immediately, instead vying to shrug and drop his gaze to his toes. He knew the answer, of course. He just hated being reminded. "No. I'm nothing special. I'm not smart like you, or a ninja like you." As the evidence of his flaws piled up in his mind, 2D felt the weight of his sorrow overcoming him, dragging his spirit down like a cold, heavy stone. "I have to take pills all of the time, and I still get headaches. I'm scared of whales. I can't even go to a beach without wanting to cry anymore. I've probably got more dents in my body than a golf ball by now, and Murdoc's right when he calls me a dullard." Despite the clammy coldness in his chest, 2D felt his eyes burning. Blinking away a hot tear, he finished in a small voice, "I don't deserve to have someone like you in my life."
The floorboards creaked. A hand under his chin gently forced 2D to stop staring at the floor and look instead into a pair of glistening green eyes. "Stop it, Toochie. You are a wonderful man. You're friendly, loyal, generous, and always there for the people you love. I wish I had half the loyalty you show to me."
2D sniffled, a tear creeping down his cheek as he faced his best friend. "But… But you are loyal! Whenever I need you, I know you'll be there, like when I'm having a nightmare, or when something else scares me. I never deserve it, but you're always there! You're always the one that helps me then!"
"What about today?" Noodle responded quickly. "You got possessed, and I wasn't there for you."
"But you were!" 2D cried insistently, his heart twisting and his tears falling quickly. "When the demon left my head, and I thought you… you were…" 2D's voice broke, and he shuddered. The singer took a deep breath, collecting his sorrowful thoughts before continuing, "It hurt so much. I thought I was going to die. I was ready to die. Then I thought about you, and I knew you would be waiting for me. I held on for you. And you were there. You're always there. I didn't wait because I was strong. I waited because I knew you could do what I could never do. And I… If I didn't have you…"
2D paused, his hands trembling. He could see the tear trails on her face as clearly as he could feel them on his own, as clearly as he could feel her thumb reach up to brush a tear off his cheek as she stepped close to him. "I'm lost without you," the singer finished with a whimper.
Noodle stared up at him, her eyes glistening. 2D didn't think he could handle seeing the sorrow in her eyes much longer. "I promise I'll always be there, Toochie," Noodle whispered. "And I promise you won't have to wait anymore."
Won't have to wait anymore? 2D's breathing hitched with panic. Is she going to ask me to stop waiting for her? He shook his head, desperation creeping into his voice, "N-Noodle…"
Her hands were on either side of his face. They were warm. 2D's eye's widened. "Noodle..?"
"Yes, Toochie?" Noodle replied, leaning closer. Her hands pulled his face down slightly.
2D's eyes flickered between her own; he could see the reflection of his dumbstruck face staring back at him. His breathing hitched as he realized how close they were… How close her face was to his… How close their lips-
Oh.
2D gasped. "Noodle, I- I-" He stuttered, feeling his breath cloud the air between them. "I d-don't deserve you."
Noodle's brow furrowed. Their noses touched. "2D, never say that again."
Her face tilted into his. 2D shuddered briefly, then closed his eyes as she kissed him.
Her lips were soft and wet and warm as they pressed against his. She pulled back slightly, grazing her mouth against his before pressing into him again. The effect on him was spellbinding; he instinctively leaned down and forward into the kiss, unconsciously sliding his hands over her waist, up her back, into her hair, his fingers curling into the silky locks. He tilted his head and moaned softly as her hands slid down his neck, causing his hairs to stand on end. She wrapped her arms around him, just over his shoulders.
Their faces separated for a moment, hovering an inch apart, breathing heavily. Opening his eyes, 2D gazed needily down at Noodle, his grip firm and desperate.
"I love you, Toochie," She whispered, her green eyes shining.
2D's voice cracked with emotion as he responded, "I love you too."
Their lips crashed back together. 2D opened his mouth and Noodle returned the gesture; the singer relished the feeling as their tongues slid roughly against each other, a purr rumbling in his chest as her taste filled his mouth. Their bodies pressed together, their embrace tight and unrelenting. As the bandmates curled snugly around each other, their mouths molding together feverishly, 2D lost sight of his sorrow. The cold pallor in 2D's mind gave way to something bright and warm and passionate that made him feel as if he were full of blazing sunshine. The tears were still rolling down his face, but now they were accompanied by different feelings; affection, love, and radiant joy.
As they broke apart to take a gasping breath, 2D found himself laughing, softly at first, then loudly, breathlessly as he held her close to him, halting his laughter occasionally to kiss her chin, her forehead, her cheeks, her neck. "I love you," he said cherishingly, pressing his lips against her left ear and feeling her smile grow before repeating the phrase. "I love you!" he kissed her right ear. "I love you!" he kissed her nose. "I love you, I love you, I love you!"
Then Noodle was laughing with him, matching his joyful euphoria as his rapid kisses fell upon her, grazing her neck and leaving warm sunbursts all over her face. She squealed a moment later when 2D picked her up and spun her around, twirling her in fast, tight circles.
They spun until 2D was dizzy, then he set her down, leaning against her, each one of them clinging to the other as the room swayed around them. 2D panted breathlessly as he hugged her snugly, feeling her arms wrapped securely around his waist. At that moment, he was probably the happiest man on earth.
"Thank you," he whispered under his breath, burying his face in Noodle's hair. "Thank you so much."
"What for, Toochie?" Noodle hummed.
"For loving me back," 2D responded, his voice quavering.
Then her palms were on his chest, pushing him back slightly so that he could look into her eyes. "Toochie, you don't need to thank me for my love. This is my heart thanking you for being all that you are. You are a wonderful man. I will always be here for you, and I will always love you."
2D smiled, another tear slipping from the corner of his eye. Noodle tenderly brushed it away. "Come on, 2D. Let's get some sleep."
She led him back towards her bed, and they collapsed onto the mattress. The moment his side hit the cushions, 2D realized just how tired he was; being possessed and fighting zombies had taken a lot out of him. Noodle pulled a large, soft blanket over them, then reached over 2D to twist a knob on her lamp which promptly cast the room into darkness.
2D snuggled against the guitarist, tucking her into his chest as he closed his eyes. He grinned sleepily as he felt her head come to rest in the curve of his neck. His hand found hers, their fingers intertwined, and he let the steady beat of her pulse and the soothing rhythm of her breathing lull him to sleep.
. . .
FEELS! Hope their professions of love didn't come off too cheesy!
Coming Up Next: The Gorillaz (+Little Simz) vs. the Zombie Apocalypse! (Yes, the upcoming chapter is based off Garage Palace). Can our heroes fight through the zombies and defeat the evil demon spirit thingy? Stay tuned to find out!
BTW, we are entering the FINAL 3 CHAPTERS OF THIS STORY! 2 more to finish the plot, then 1 for an epilogue. HYPE!