Work Text:
It had been a month since Paula had been unceremoniously kicked out of the studios by Russel, and 2D had found it difficult to rid his room of her cheap perfume, the scent sticking to every surface like syrup. He had been avoiding the room entirely and doing things he hadn’t before to get rid of it, like lighting an absurd amount of candles to cover the smell. It all served to make him miss her more. Not to mention the constant teasing from their bassist, it made the entirety of Kong studious somewhat of an unsafe space for him, he hid himself hiding away in rooms where he knew Murdoc wouldn’t be lurking, namely Russel’s room, he tucked himself into the corner, silently watching the man as he practiced drums, or did paperwork, or whatever it is a kidnapped man did these days. Russel didn’t seem to mind, at least, 2D hoped he didn’t, he had come to think of the large room as somewhat of a safe space, and while he wouldn’t enjoy it being taken away from him, he would understand if the other needed his space.
Maybe he was just overthinking things. Russel hadn’t seemed entirely offended by his presence in any way. If anything, he was overly polite, answering 2D’s inquiries with a small smile and talking to 2D at length about all his old friends before their untimely demise. 2D, of course, listened with rapt attention, chiming in when appropriate and staying silent when Russel became uncharacteristically choked up. It was a good balance, they had found. Russel enjoyed having someone to just talk to, and 2D enjoyed a place to stay away from the git on the other side of the studio. When he wasn’t shoving himself into the corner of Russel’s room, he was in the kitchen, moping over an old photo of him and Paula. Lips tugged down in a large frown, and altogether moody.
Murdoc took great pride in finding 2D at these specific times and teasing him about one thing or another, much like a school bully. 2D took it with clenched teeth and a displeased expression. After the whole fiasco, Murdoc had taken to passive-aggressively mocking the singer enough to piss him off and egg him on so he could justify hitting the other. 2D hated it; he hated the way the man’s lip curled up when he knew he had caught 2D in his sick little game, when he knew he had riled the other up enough to start a fight.
Today was no different. 2D had started by waking up and hiding in Russel’s room for a few hours, listening to the other ramble about his first Christmas in London, before he realized that he was utterly starving. Checking his wallet, he didn’t have enough cash to order takeout, so he would need to make something. He didn’t know the last time they had done shopping, but he knew it wasn’t exactly recent. And yet his stomach growled, protesting. He had no choice but to listen to it. With a small wave to Russell, he made his way down the stairs into the kitchen, trying his best to silence his steps, but failing as Kong Studios had the unholy ability to make every single stair and floorboard creak, no matter how many times they tried to fix it. So it really wasn’t any surprise that not long after 2D entered the kitchen, Murdoc was right on his heels.
“Faceache! Fancy seein’ you here ay? Decided to stop mopin’ around in Russ’ room? About time, don’t you think? Hidin’ like a baby?” He guffawed and 2D let a long-suffering sigh, dragging his long fingers down his face; he pulled his lip lightly with the movement as his eyes roved over to where Murdoc was standing, cock-sure and arrogant as always. 2D’s teeth were bared like a wild animal, though with his missing incisors, he resembled more an angry cub than anything threatening.
“Sod off ya’ old gob, haven’ ya messed wif’ me nough already for da week?” He chided, head tilting forward as his blue hair contrasted his sickeningly pale skin. “‘Sides not like ya’ doin’ much betta’ hidin’ ‘way from Russ like a baby.” He turned away only for his hair to be pulled back with a surprisingly strong grip. He let out a strange sound somewhere between a choke and a cry of surprise.
“Now you listen here, Dents, don’t you go around spreading shit about how I’m a wuss. I ain’t no wuss, I stood up to Satan and I laughed in his bloody fucking face, some possessed queer ain’t gonna change that.” Murdoc’s hand gripped tighter on his blue hair, and 2D gripped the table, shutting his eyes as the stitches pulled with his hair. He let out a litany of apologies, trying desperately to grasp Murdoc’s hand as the other smiled, self-satisfied with the man trembling beneath him. It wasn’t until he felt something give and the warm trickle of blood down his hand that he let go like a man burned. Backing away as he watched 2D scramble to grab his head where the stitches had broken. He pursed his lips, moving his hands awkwardly as he fled up the stairs. 2D sobbed, feeling the blood trickling down his neck uncomfortably.
It didn’t take long for someone to come barreling down the stairs, and 2D tensed involuntarily, shocking himself. He had never felt so afraid before; his breath was caught in his chest, but before he could spiral further, a hand much larger than his own splayed across his back, and he relaxed exponentially. It was just Russel, Murdoc must’ve gotten him, he must’ve not meant to pull his stitches out, everything was okay.
“Damn, Dee, you look rough,” Russel spoke, moving 2D’s hair out of the way to check the wound. He was silent for a moment before he stomped into the downstairs bathroom, going threw the cabinets till he found what he was looking for, their shoddy first aid kit. “Not much I can do without stitches or staples or whatever, but I know you’d rather die than go to the ER.” 2D let out a little grunt of acknowledgement, watching Russel out of the corner of his eyes. Russel shivered. “Turn your head, man, creepy as shit.” 2D muttered an apology, looking away. He didn’t flinch as Russel practically poured the antiseptic on his head.
Just as he was wrapping the wound with an unholy amount of gauze, the doorbell rang and Russel cursed under his breath. “Murdoc, get the damn door, my hands are full.” He spoke, not yelling; he was never one to yell. There was a distinct clatter upstairs as the green man descended the stairs, eyes widened but otherwise not speaking. Instead,he walked to the front and opened the door. The tense atmosphere was broken entirely too quickly when, instead of coming back inside with a package, like expected, Murdoc hummed loudly, turning and facing the two in the kitchen.
“Did either of you order a particularly large Dildo, eh?” Murdoc’s voice cut through, and Russel raised a brow, unimpressed. 2D tilted back in his chair to look at the box, he blinked a few times before letting out a muttered sound of astonishment as he slowly got up from his chair. Russel side-eyed him worriedly but otherwise made no move. He was a grown man; he could handle himself. They walked together to the front door, standing next to Murdoc. Murdoc threaded his hands through his hair, combing through it as he thought. “You think it’s a bomb?” Murdoc asked, tapping it. Russel grabbed his arm, pulling him away.
“If it was, you really think touching it would be the best idea?” He said gruffly, approaching it and looking at it closely. “It’s made entirely of wood, honestly, it’s possible, but I doubt it.” He said, backing up.
“Should we return it ta the senda’? Or tha company?” 2D chimed in, poking his head forward, his blue bangs plastered awkwardly across his face, courtesy of the bandages. Murdoc hummed inquisitively, tapping his chin to seem more knowledgeable.
“You know what, why don’t we open it! Nothin’ wrong with risking a lil’ explosion now and then, plus if we hear beeping we know to run inside and cover our bloody arses!” He said, and before anyone could interject, he approached the box, ready to take the lid off. Before he could, the lid opened itself, bursting backwards as a leg kicked out. The box toppled over to the side, and there was a short, high-pitched squeak before a small form crawled out from the packaging.
The three men stood there, stock still, staring wide-eyed at the child before them. She stood utterly still in turn, the silence was long before the child raised her hand and spoke “こんにちは!” The men jumped back, unsurprisingly, 2D was the first one to approach her, kneeling and waving back. He had always been the best with kids at any rate, even at their smaller gigs.
“Well ‘ello there lil’ lady. Wot was ya’ doin’ in that box?” The girl tilted her head, so he decided to change his approach. “Was’ your name?” He asked softly, pointing to her. When she still didn’t respond, he pointed to himself, “2D,” he stated before pointing to her.
She grinned, all teeth, raising her arms. “Noodle!” 2D blinked, looking back at Russel, who simply shrugged.
“Noodle, right. Uh..” 2D pointed at the box, then back to her, then shrugged. Noodle’s gaze moved to the box, and she stared for a hot second before she scrambled, pulling out something vaguely familiar.
“Is that a bloody guitar?” Murdoc asked, voice breathy with astonishment.
“Guitar!” Noodle nodded before bringing her arm up 2D approached,ready to stop her before she brought her arm down. She played a fast melody, one that none of them recognized. It was quick and catchy, and 2D found himself involuntarily tapping his thigh to the sound. By the time she had finished, she was out of breath, but a large smile was plastered on her face, hair wild and messy, outfit wildly out of place compared to the casual attire of the three men. She was wildly chaotic, and for some reason, it was charming.
“Well, I think we’ve just found ourselves a guitarist eh?” Murdoc finally chimed in, approaching Noodle and patting her on the back. “Welcome to the Gorillaz luv.”
The newly dubbed Noodle let out a triumphant whooping noise before chanting, “Gorillaz! Gorillaz! Gorillaz!” Pounding her chest like she was mimicking the apes. She practically skipped into the shit show that was their house, not even flinching at the rancid smell.
Murdoc was surprisingly quick to get her into the house, a sleazy smile that had some hint of sincerity was plastered on his face. The other two band members stood there for a few moments, shell-shocked. 2D was the first on the pipe up, getting up and walking next to Russel, lifting a finger before he spoke.
“Uh, we dunno ‘ow to take care of a kid.” That snapped Russ out of it quickly.
“Shit, Murdoc!” He ran inside, and 2D followed quickly after.