Long Beach (2D x Murdoc)

CHAPTER 3

Night of Fun

~~~~~~~~~~

Murdoc stands outside his apartment, rolling his eyes as he sees the worn out, tacky looking numbers on the front door. He walks into the kitchen and is immediately greeted with 2D, back towards him. He's sure if he tip toes, he can make it to his bedroom without catching his attention.

He knows if he spends any time talking to his singer, he'd have to explain where he went and why he's mad which was something even he couldn't figure out. 2D was always one to 'analyze' each member of the group. He would do anything for them, including stop visiting Murdoc in jail to keep the 'good reputation' of the band.

"Murdoc what do you think-" the singers eyes are glued on two boxes of cereal until he ultimately notices Murdoc's fast pace.

"Oi? What's wrong?"

Murdoc stops himself from jumping with surprise. He tries his best to get to his room without having to say a word. As he reaches for the handle, a body slips under him and against the door, blocking his path.

"No! We are not doing this 2D!" Murdoc brings a hand to his head and massages his temples. 2D swears it's his job to 'fix' everyone. He knows if he finds out who he went to see, he would have a field day attempting to get the band back together.

"Yes, Murdoc, we are. You can't keep" 2D starts to say until he sees Murdoc glare "You can't keep getting pissed and leave me to feel like crap." he whispers

"You feel like crap!? Oh I'm glad I'm not the only one!" Murdoc growls and plops himself on the couch.

"If you're feeling like crap, 2D, that's on you!" he continues

"Murdoc-"

"No! That's on no one but yourself. You feel like shit because you know you're wrong! You're a worthless piece of crap who doesn't know what he's on about"

2D glances down at his feet "You don't mean that Murdoc..." he trails off before slumping down next to him.

Murdoc scoffs and there's an awkward pause. For a second, he contemplates apologizing, maybe even grovelling. He knew the statement wasn't directed towards his singer, but admitting that would mean that he had to figure out who it was meant for.

"Oh but I do. You're a 40 year old man who still goes to therapy." Another awkward silence fills the room.

"It really does help, Muds. Maybe... I dunno... maybe you could give it a shot?" The singer kneads his hands.

"The only 'shots' I enjoy are those filled to the brim with rum"

Murdoc gets up, scoffing as he shakes his head and opens the door to his room.

"Leave me the hell alone. I mean that, 2D"

As he shuts the door, he presses his body against it. Feeling the cool sensation of the wood on his leather jacket, he closes his eyes. Focus on what's touching you, not the feeling. He wasn't a bad friend, he didn't take advantage of 2D, he never went to jail. The thought of his time in prison sends a shiver down his back. Ruffling up his duvet cover and knocking crap off his desk, he blinks back moisture from his eyes before pacing around the room. He spends only seconds alone before he hears a knock at the door.

"2D?"

It's silent.

"2D..." he groans, getting ready to shout next time there's no response.

Sighing impatiently, he walks up to the door, gripping the handle with full force before swinging it open.

"What the bloody hell did I say-" His words are cut off by the sight of the singer holding two bowls of cereal. His lanky arms propping them up as he mumbles, biting down on a package of cookies.

Not sure if it's due to the alcohol in his system or seeing the singer in his all too short pyjama bottoms, his shoulders relax as he moves out of the way. As a smirk grows on his face, he furrows his eyebrows and returns to his more intimidating appearance.

"What were you doing in here? It looks... cleaner than usual" 2D remarks after letting the cookies fall on the bed.

"Haw haw, Murdoc suffering. I bet that's real funny"

"So you are suffering?"

"Well aren't you good at picking up my hints of sarcasm."

The singer pretends not to have heard that. "I didn't know which one you wanted so I brought one of each" he points to the bowls of cereal.

It's a change in topic Murdoc welcomes. Still unaware of how to respond, he stands there slack jawed. He doesn't know whether to throw him out in a fit of rage, or thank him for coming in at the perfect time.

"If you don't pick, it's gonna get all soggy, Muds..."

Sighing, he grabs a bowl before resting on the bed.

"I didn't ask for cereal" he says flatly as he shoves a spoonful in his mouth.

"Then why are you eating it?"

"You said it yourself, mate. It's gonna get soggy, I can't have you wasting my cereal like that."

For a moment, 2D glares at him. It's short-lived, but not short enough for Murdoc not to notice. He holds his bowl in his lap, glancing up at Murdoc every so often.

"What is it now?" he stares directly at the singer, this time, not breaking eye contact.

"Are you... are you sure you're alright?"

Murdoc brings his attention to 2D thin wrists. His slender fingers wrapped over the spoon, occasionally making a small 'clunk' noise as he stirs what's left of his breakfast.

"Finish the bowl already!" Murdoc snaps.

2D frowns while placing it on his desk. This comment seemed to have made him more upset than scared, which wasn't Murdoc's intention.

"Murdoc."

The bassist looks down at his feet before promptly returning his gaze to the singer's blank face.

"Stuart." he breaks eye contact and reaches for the cookies, acting as though he hadn't yelled at him two seconds prior.

2D sighs and looks away, nuzzling his hand in between his thighs as he does so. He hadn't ever been allowed in Murdoc's room unless the bassist was unconscious and needed assistance getting into bed.

Looking around the landfill of a room, he reads the titles of CDs quietly to himself.

"Paranoid... War pigs... Lots of Black Sabbath, yeah?" He looks up at Murdoc who is now shoving his face with the heart shaped cookies.

A grin creeps on 2D's face as he reaches for something in his pocket. He pulls out two small pieces of paper.

"Oh... before I forget. This is what meant to give you... earlier. It's not much and I don't even know if you're in the mood anymore but hopefully if you are-"

Murdoc sighs and waves his hand "On with it."

"Right, sorry." the singer hands Murdoc one of the two papers

As he reads the words "Night of fun!" he grimaces. The day was a shit show so far, nothing would make it better. The thought of 'fun' seemed so far off. He didn't know when the last time he enjoyed himself was. He's hesitant at first, but as he continues reading, he entertains the thought of going to the event. The words FREE BOOZE in all red catch his attention, so much so that he reads it aloud without noticing.

"Yeah, I thought you might like that part." 2D says mid chuckle.

Murdoc looks up for a second before staring down the flyer once more. Maybe a "night of fun" was exactly what he needed.

"I mean 's alright if you don't wanna go. I can go alone instead, if you're not up for it. Maybe when you're feeling a bit better-"

Murdoc rolls his eyes at the singer's rambles. He knew what he had to do to get the singer to stop talking.

"Alright! Alright... I'll go."