Work Text:
Everything had to be perfect. Noodle knew how hard these things were.
In between cake pops, flags, funky glasses and decor, all of them were plenty sick of the colors already. It would probably take months before she would be able to stomach any variation of purple, yellow, black and white, even separately. But all of it would be perfect.
“Murdoc, a little more to the left!” she yelled while putting on her party hat. All she got in response was a loud groan from deep within the bassist’s core. “Dear Satan, Noodle, what difference does it make? No depth perception on that one, I can tell you that much.” Murdoc complained, but still balanced the ladder further left before pinning the “Happy Birth-THEY!” sash on the wall at last.
The post had caught them all by surprise. Not because of any doubt of 2-D’s identity on their part, but rather because the singer had always been very private on such matters. Unlike Murdoc, who unapologetically mentioned his attraction to both men and women in public settings, there was never an explicit time in which 2-D let their encounters with various genders known to anyone but the band. Of course there were rumors, they existed regarding all celebrities, but never a “Yes, I’m queer” from them. Let alone anything more personal and intimate.
A queer Gorillaz member was nothing new – even Noodle herself had stated to a worldwide audience she found labels limiting to her sexual identity – but there was always that underlying pressure. That feeling of this time, with me, is when it will be too much.
And boycotts had purged. Countless internet comments and videos stating Gorillaz was now woke trash, that their songs were gender propaganda trying to take the Western world from within.
But there were great comments. Heartwarming stories, relatable anecdotes, chanting for a newly discovered enby icon. 2-D had asked for her to not read them any more content that could make them teary-eyed. She obliged, but always pressed like in every single supporting post and share.
“‘Round the corner!” Russel warned, his arms covered in edible purple glitter up to the elbow. From the sound of the engine, Noodle understood their personal driver was almost home with 2-D.
“Ok, boys, get ready! Russ, wipe your face, there’s glitter. Murdoc, please leave the champagne alone…”
“Can’t even taste-test in my own bloody home!”
The moment the bassist put the bottle down, Noodle grabbed both her bandmates by the arms, standing between them with the widest smile she could master.
The lock turned, steps got closer.
“SURPRISE!” they all shouted in unison. Noodle’s voice triumphed above the other two. “We’re so happy for you, 2-D!”
The vocalist stood frozen, still assimilating all the chaos in front of them – a myriad of variously sized decorations, things propped up on the walls, all sorts of desserts on top of a tablecloth with an oh so familiar color palette. And, of course, their best friends in the whole wide world standing front and center with ridiculous facepaint creations and the warmest energy they have ever felt.
“This for me?” they asked. They could feel their white eyes start to tingle. “There’s no need.”
“Like hell there wasn’t!” Noodle said. “It’s the least we could do.”
She came in closer and 2-D couldn’t contain their sniffles after that. The girl they all had taken in, all those years before, she was really there with a they/them pin on her blouse.
“Oh, D…” this time it was Russ, who also approached them to the same comfortable proximity Noodle was at. “No need to cry, man. Er, sorry, not man.”
“Is fine, really” 2-D assured him. It would take some getting used to, they were aware. But a gesture so grand showed them where his family truly stood, mistakes and all.
“That really took guts, Dents” Murdoc chimed in. “Obviously, I would have had a better strategy for that lot, but not bad, not bad.”
“What would that brilliant strategy be, huh?” Noodle rested her hands on her hips, a smirk creeping on her face. “I’m non-binary, deal with that?” the three of them chuckled.
“You jest, but it’s a marvellous idea, honest.”
Noodle rolled her eyes before asking Russel for the “thing”. 2-D couldn’t possibly imagine what else would be awaiting them. Such a great surprise had already made the rest of their year.
2-D looked down, their face a glowy shade of orange from the candles below. Along the same color scheme, the frosting also had an image laid on top, a screenshot to be exact.
They smiled at the words they had rewritten so many times before hitting post:
I actually don’t think I’m much of a ‘he’. I’m more of a ‘they’, aren’t I?
- @2Dgorillaz, posted on 13/12/2025