Friends

x. Dress Up

"Koko! Koko, asoko, Toochi!" Noodle squeaked excitedly. She sat upright in her seat and pointed her finger excitedly to a small, pink building on the corner of the street with a large billboard reading 'Lulu's'.
Since the tension in the car from Jannette's phone call had been relieved, Noodle and 2D had gone back to what most people would call 'flirting'. Neither man nor woman realized what they were doing; it was not verbal flirting, but physical flirting. Noodle would nudge 2D's shoulder playfully at a joke, giggle at anything he did, lean her head on his shoulder; and 2D wouldn't stop her. If she nudged him he would stick his tongue out at her. If she giggled, he would try to make her giggle more. If she laid her head on his arm, he wouldn't shake her off.
*
"Hello ma'am! My name is Karen, welcome to Lulu's! Can I help you with anything?" a brunette employee greeted as Noodle entered the building, followed shortly by 2D.
"Hai- Um, I mean yes please!" Noodle corrected her language as a light blush crept across her cheeks. 2D chuckled softly at her mistake. He knew how much Noodle hated confusing people with her Japanese, so when she slipped up like that she would beat herself up. 2D decided to take action.
"I am looking for a burgundy bridesmaid dress, floor length. The wedding..." Noodle trailed off as 2D subtly grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers. She turned her head to look at him, eyes wide and eyebrows raised. 2D simply smiled and looked back at her, trying to convey his thoughts through his black eyes.
'Yer alrigh' luv, just breathe. Don't stress out.'
"Ahem," the woman who had been speaking to Noodle cleared her throat quietly, looking awkwardly down at the floor, as if she knew she had been forgotten in their moment.
"A-Ah, sorry! Um, the dress needs to be floor length, and a dark red- like a, like a burgundy. The wedding is in about a month and a half- September 2nd, I believe? I'm sure. Anyway, it's for Gabriel Reyes. He told me he called ahead to let you know I was coming?" Noodle tripped over her words a bit, her grip tightening on 2D's hand. As Noodle and Karen began discussing what she expected for the dress and the other dresses that had been purchased, 2D zoned out and focused on their locked hands.
'She's holdin' me hand. She's holdin' me hand... She's holdin' me hand!' 2D was ecstatic, and couldn't keep a goofy grin off of his face. The feeling in his stomach was similar to that of a teenage boy in middle school seeing a titty for the first time.

Karen the employee had Noodle pick out 3 different dresses; all of which looked the same to 2D, but were apparently greatly contrasted to each other. Noodle entered the dressing room with one of the dresses she had selected, leaving 2D sitting in a chair just outside with Karen.
"So, are you and this young lady together?" the saleswoman asked to try to make light conversation.
"Yeh," 2D didn't even falter as he spoke, chin resting on his palm and eyes glued to the door Noodle had disappeared behind.
"You two are very cute. How long have you been together?"
This question confused 2D, because he hadn't realized the prior question.
"We're not," he said, his voice rising in tone at the end of his phrase. Karen froze and stared at 2D, slowly raising an eyebrow.
"Wh- Oh? Al- uh, alright."
Fortunately, the two did not have to sit in silence for much longer.
"Chikushō!" Noodle cursed from the dressing room. 2D stood up immediately.
"You awright in there, luv?" he called out gently. Karen knocked on the door.
"Do you need help Ms. Noodle?" she asked.
"N- Yes actually, yes please. I can't... get the damn zipper," With that, Noodle opened the door. 2D closed his eyes and covered them, a deep blush forming over his face.
"I won' look," he stated. He heard the two fumble for a second, before the sound of a zipper and an 'a-ha!'.
"Got it!" Karen proclaimed proudly. "You can look now, Mr. Pot."
2D eagerly unshielded his eyes, and smiled wide when he saw Noodle looking at herself in the mirror.
The dress was not anything fancy, for if it had been more elaborate than it was, all of the attention at the reception would be on her, 2D felt like. It was mermaid style, so it hugged Noodle's hips and stomach comfortably while leaving her enough room to walk as well. The lack of sleeves revealed Noodle's chiseled collarbones, which 2D didn't hesitate to admire.
"Absolutely gorgeous, Ms. Noodle! I adore it!" Karen said happily as she placed a hand on Noodle's shoulder. She turned to 2D, and raised an eyebrow at him, as if to say 'Well dullard, are you going to say anything?'
Noodle turned around as well and looked at the man sitting behind her. Her cheeks were flushed pink and her lips were pursed; she was trying to hide hope and expectation.
"Y-You took the words right out me mouth, Karen." 2D managed to say. Noodle's expression faltered slightly and she dropped her gaze to the floor.
"Dōmo arigatōgozaimashita, Toochi." she said quietly. 2D smiled at her.
"No, really Noodz, you look positively breathtaking."
Noodle again raised her eyes to meet 2D's. They sparkled, causing 2D's stomach to turn and unleash feelings he had promised himself he would forget.
"Thank you, 2D. I am glad you think so."
"Alright then, next dress." Karen pressed, then nudged Noodle back in to the dressing room and handed her her second dress.

After a few minutes, Noodle again stepped out of the dressing room.
"What do you thi-"
"Tha's it. Tha's the one." Before Noodle could even finish her sentence, 2D had stood up in his seat with a look of complete aw.
"I'm serious, Noodz. That dress... it looks absolutely astounding on you." 2D's usual nervous tone had vanished and been replaced with something unfamiliar to him.
Noodle's face lit up in a huge smile as a deep blush stretched across her cheek.
"Do you really... think so?" she asked bashfully. 2D eagerly nodded, his eyes not leaving her figure.
The dress itself was a wine red color on a satin fabric. The sleeves hugged her arms at the shoulders and went halfway down her forearm. The skirt reached the floor with a slight tail behind her, creating a look of elegance.
"Noodle. I promise yeh, this dress is it."
Noodle held 2D's gaze for a moment before looking at Karen, who was standing behind the pair, holding back a slight grin.
"Ms. Karen? What do you think?" she asked. Karen let herself smile and folded her arms.
"Personally, I agree with Mr. Pot. I think that dress is gorgeous. BUT I think we should try the last one, just in case."
With the professional opinion, Noodle agreed, and retreated back in to the dressing room. Karen passed her the last dress, but 2D wasn't paying attention. He was lost in his own world.
'She looked so beautiful in tha' fuckin' dress. I can't believe tha' someone like tha', could actually be attracted t' me. I'm so luc-' 2D stopped his thoughts right there, and immediately dropped his face in his hands.
'What th' hell a' you goin' on abou' you numpty? This isn't yer girlfriend, this is the girl you screwed over with yer girlfriend. Ya can't be thinkin' abou' her like tha' you ol' tosser.' The more 2D thought, the angrier he got at himself.
'She's so beautiful. 'Ow could you do tha' to 'er? She's so sweet, so beautiful, so perfect...'
2D sighed heavily.
'I've got to stop playin' wiff her head like I am. It's not fair, t' neither of us.'
2D paused for a few more moments before he stood from his chair, and walked out of the building.

koko- there
asoko- over there
hai- yes
chishukō- shit
Dōmo arigatōgozaimashita- thank you very much

A/N: LOL YALL THUS HAS BEEN READY FOR LIKE THREE DAYS I JUST FORGOT TO POST IT HERE IM SO SORRY!!! I posted it on my AO3 tho so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ anyway I'm sorry the chapters r getting so short I promise then next one should make up for it ;-)