styrofoam stars 🌅| gorillaz + 2d x reader

༄ 5. {welcome to the world of the plastic beach}

You found it hard to believe that you'd been on the island for two weeks now, and just today was your first time ever going in the recording studio.

It was arguably the most interesting place on the island. Assorted instruments on the walls, a long table outside the recording room lined with different buttons and switches that you knew better than to mess with, walls made entirely of soundproof foam (although, you couldn't see why; who was even around on this island to snoop in on recording sessions anyway?). It blew your mind, gave you a feeling of importance, to be allowed in such a place.

But then again, you were only in there because 2D was busy making the backing beat to the album's next song, and you had wanted to tag along. You sat by his side, watching intently as he pushed buttons on his synthesizer.

"So after th' trumpets 'n stuff are done, then th' bass and th' drums kick in, see?" First and foremost, he held down a key on the far right of his keyboard he had plugged into the synth that activated a high sound that lingered in the background of the track. He then hit a button higher up on the synthesizer, activating a low, rather simple drum beat. Another button he hit at first made no noise, until he pressed a few notes on the far left of the keyboard. After a moment, the synthesizer began to play back the notes in sync with the drums and the synth.

You were in awe. "You can really just do that with a few buttons?!"

2D smiled at your reaction, pushing another button after a few seconds, adding an electronic symbal to the mix to aid the drum beat, until finally the climax hit. The bass suddenly became mimiced by a high-pitched synth, and the drums became louder, filling the studio with wonderful sound.

You'd never seen anything like it before. So this was how music was made!

"'n tha's pretty much all there is to it." 2D sat back, pausing the track for now. "Now we jus' wait 'til we record th' vocals later."

Still in amazement, your gaze was fixed on him. "It's amazing how you can do that all on your own," you marveled. "You're amazing, 2D."

He smiled shyly, looking humbled. "'m not as dumb as I look, eh?"

You gave him a pat on the back. "Aw, you're not dumb at all!"

2D's expression shifted to one of sincerity. "Y-Y'really fink so?"

Before you could respond, the studio door busted open, causing both of you to rapidly turn your heads.

"Ah, good AFTERNOON, crew!" Murdoc exclaimed upon seeing the two of you, making no effort to see if he broke anything with that door slam. "I assume you two have been, er, busy in here, eh?" He laughed one of his signature laughs.

You weren't a big fan of what he was implying in that statement, but after being on the island a while, you knew better than to start anything with Murdoc. "As a matter of fact, 2D just finished the beat for the song." You stated.

"Oh, good! 'Cuz the collaborators are right outside."

You narrowed your eyes, and a crowd of people began to file inside the room behind Murdoc. About eight people shuffled in, all holding brass instruments, and behind them came a final figure who it took no time for you to recognize.

You looked over at 2D. "Is that Snoop Dogg?"

"Oh," 2D looked up, then looked back down, as if he hadn't even noticed before. "Yeah."

Meeting famous people was probably just part of the job for 2D, but it certainly wasn't for you. You watched starstruck as Snoop, tall and confident, entered the recording room with the brass orchestra. Murdoc stared at 2D, signaling to him that he was needed.

He turned to look at you. "I only do th' backin' vocals on this song, but-"

"I still wanna see!" You nodded your head excitedly. 

He smiled, then looked at Murdoc as if he were asking if you could stay. Murdoc just rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine, just don't touch what you can't afford, eh?"

So don't touch anything; got it. Oh well. 2D joined the others in the recording room, and everything was ready to go. Murdoc sat next to you, looking like a true producer, in front of all those buttons, knobs and switches. You kept a good distance between you and him, though, just in case he tried any funny business.

"3, 2, 1...action!"

That was probably the wrong term to use, but whatever, you weren't about to correct him. The minute he started recording, one trumpet from the brass ensemble started up, followed by another, until the other instruments chimed in...

Until they were halted by the introduction of the beat you had just seen 2D make. 

"Gorillaz and the boss Dogg, planet of the apes,"

You sat up in your seat, smiling ear-to-ear at 2D, giving him a thumbs-up. It's a good thing his mic wasn't on yet, it appeared he was trying to hold back a giggle at how excited you looked.

It took a couple more minutes, but you finally heard him; frankly, he just gave a quiet "oooh, just like that" in the background, but immediately it sent a shiver down your spine. You always knew he was a great singer, but you really feel the impact of just how good he is in person. And this was about as in-person as you could get.

2D didn't give himself enough credit. He really was amazing.

"The revolution will be televised."

It took a couple takes to get the song just right, working on the song into the early evening, but the entire time, you never got bored. When you were finally done, you and 2D left together. As you headed down the steps from the studio, you could see through the window of the study that the sun was beginning to set onto the ocean.

"Well? What do you think? Didn't that go great?"

2D just yawned, sleepily rubbing his dark eyes. "I fink I'm exhausted, that's wot I fink."

You couldn't get that stupid smile off your face if you tried. Not only was he extremely talented and hardly even realized it, he was also criminally adorable. 

"Alright, D," you said. "Let's get you some rest."

You knew he'd need it, for tomorrow and the days ahead.