Too Many Times

by volatileSoloist

Summary:

When Ace signed on to be Gorillaz' new bassist, he didn't realize exactly what kind of emotional quagmire he'd end up stepping into.

Chapter 1: The Call and the Greeting

Dun, dun, danananana…

His phone was ringing.

Ugh, what time is it? Ace cracked his eyes open and was immediately assailed by bright light peeking from a crack in his curtains. Too early.

Dun, dun, danananana…

He waited a moment for the blurriness to fade before fumbling for his phone. In his hurry, he just managed to knock it to the floor. “Jesus friggin’ Christ.”

Dun, dun—

“It’s Ace, whaddaya want?”

A voice, one that rang with a vague familiarity while also bringing him an immediate sense of unease, answered his anger with a bright, “Ah, Ace, old pal. It’s Murdoc Niccals, from Gorillaz.”

Murdoc Niccals… Murdoc from Grimway Holding Center, Murdoc? Why was Murdoc calling him? How did he get his number? Ace could only come to the conclusion that if Murdoc Niccals had somehow tracked him down, whatever he was calling about had to be something serious.

Ace reached out and slipped his shades on, tucking his bedhead back into place before answering the phone with his trademark Ace charm. “Aw hey, Murdoc, I thought you were dead! What’s goin’ on, huh?”

“Well, you see, I’m in a bit of a pickle. I’ve ended up in the slammer again. Brings back memories, dunnit, Ace?” There was the sound of Murdoc’s nasally snickering, and it did indeed bring back more memories than Ace happened to care for.

“Sure, sure,” Ace agreed smoothly, before adding, “Why the heck are ya callin’ me about it, Murdy? Getting lonely all by yourself?”

“Ha ha ha,” the other man bit out. “Don’t make me regret calling you. Now, listen closely: my band is about to record a new album. Usual rockstar biz, you know? But since I’m doin’ a bit of bird, they’re gonna need a bassist. And Ace, you’re the second best bassist I know.”

Ace took a moment to think about that, a fanged smile already spreading across his face. “You’re sayin’ you want me to take over the band for you?”

“Bloody hell, no! Don’t put words into my mouth. Of course I’d love to be there myself, but it ain’t in the cards. You’re just gonna play what they tell you to play until I can bust outta here, get it?”

Ace huffed at that. “Assuming you even can ‘bust outta’ there. Because that worked out so well for us last time, didn’t it? I’m out now, and I’m not your dancing monkey, ya hear me, Murdoc?”

“Oh, come off it!” the bassist grumbled. “You know you owe me one, Ace! Don’t you remember all the times I—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Ace gritted out, “Pretty bold of you to assume that I saw any of that as ‘the kindness of your heart’ or some crud like that. Big words, Murdy, for someone who can’t stop himself from moonlightin’ jails.

“Now, I play by my own rules. Always have. If I were to do this for you—and I have absolutely no reason to, by the way—and then let you come in and kick me out at your convenience, you’d be owing me big time, you got it?”

Murdoc scoffed. “Big words for a washed-up has-been! You haven’t led a group since you left that little backwater town of yours, hmm? And like you were any better back then, when you couldn’t manage to stay out of that piddly water closet they called a jail! No, you can’t just expect to step into my cuban-heeled shoes all of a sudden. So, Ace, your payment is gonna be living the glamorous life of a star while I’m stuck here in this stinking hole. Are you in or not?”

Those words stung, Ace had to admit. It was at this moment that he was extremely glad he never told Murdoc that he’d been put in that little jail by literal children; he’d never have heard the end of it.

But Ace was out of jail now. It’s not like he was legit now, no. Busking on the streets didn’t earn him enough money to have both a place to live and food on the table, so of course he put some of his extensive criminal expertise to use. So far so good, so why change things?

Still… taking a look around at his cruddy, run-down Montedena apartment, he thought about what it might be like to be living it large, not having to worry about where his next meal would come from, or whether he could pay rent. The kind of life he always dreamed of back when he lived in Townsville.

“Are you bloody listening to me? Are you in or—”

“Shut your trap,” Ace snapped. “I’m getting to it.”

This had to be some kind of devil deal, but now that Ace had glimpsed a future for himself for the first time in years, it seemed like he had no choice after all. “Alright,” he sighed. “Alright, Murdy, you’ve convinced me.”

“Brilliant,” Murdoc crowed. “I knew you’d see things my way. Now, I’ve already let my fellow bandmates know you’re coming.” He’d been that sure I was going to join, huh? “You’ll be getting a call from my right-hand gal, Noodle. She’ll sort out the details with you.”

From over the line, a distant, authoritative voice called, “Time’s up, Prisoner 24602.”

“Aw, hell,” the Satanist grumbled, “Alright, ta-ta for now, Ace. Enjoy living it up, while you can.”

On that ominous note, Murdoc hung up. God, Ace thought, what am I getting myself into?

——

Ace had to glance down briefly at the hastily-scrawled address on the scrap of paper in his hands to make sure that he was at the right address. The bus ride to LA had been long and tiring, and he could’ve conceivably wound up at the wrong hotel. But no, he really was going to be staying at a ritzy four-star joint, all on the band’s dime.

If the boys could see me now, Ace thought, just for a moment, before brushing off the old memories like cobwebs. They weren’t relevant anymore.

Deep breath. New group, new Ace.

Then, having taken his moment, Ace waltzed into the lobby. His first impression was that the hotel was pretty ritzy. The second thing he noticed was that his arrival appeared to be entirely unanticipated.

Ace had been hoping for more answers. Perhaps his new ‘friends’ would even be waiting for him in the lobby. But no, there was just a bored-looking receptionist and a few tourists he couldn’t care less about.

Well, with the frequent absence of guidance in his life, Ace had always been one to make his own way. He strutted confidently up to the receptionist, and threw out a bright, "Hey, the name's Ace Copular. Ya got any messages for me?"

The receptionist stared down at him skeptically, and it took Ace a moment to become aware of the fact that, compared to both the receptionist and the rest of the clientele, he was hilariously underdressed. Gone had been the days of making a statement with his attire; now he was consigned to simple hoodies and jeans.

But hey, since when had Ace D. Copular ever given a heck about what anyone’s opinion of him? He was the Boss, and he did as he darn pleased. When the receptionist just continued to look down upon him, Ace slipped a hand into his pocket, casually bringing out his switchblade. “I got places to be, bud. You gonna answer my question or not?” He flipped it open, and began to idly clean his nails with the blade.

Suddenly, the receptionist was quick to answer his question. “Um, one moment, s-sir.” He began typing away at the computer on the desk, occasionally throwing nervous glances at Ace.

As usual, it was ridiculously easy to get what he wanted when force was involved. As though being ‘nice’ ever played out well for him.

Finally, the receptionist looked up again, and with a suddenly wide—and very fake—smile, he announced, “We do in fact have a message for you, Mr. Copular. Your bandmates will meet you in the restaurant for dinner. It’s just down the hall, and your reservation is under the name ‘2D’.”

Ace bared his fangs in his own fake smile. With a quick, “Gee, thanks, Mister,” he skulked off in the direction the receptionist had gestured to. At least talking to the chooch hadn’t been a total waste of time.

The restaurant, just like the lobby, was very fancy-looking. Wood panelling and stonework alternated on the walls, with several expanses of tall, spotlessly-clean windows opening the space to the view of the beaches outside. It was almost too fancy-looking.

Just as the receptionist had said, he was welcomed in under the band’s reservation. He was led through a dining room full of dressed-up socialites, up a flight of stairs, and then outdoors to a balcony overlooking the rolling waves, made golden and pink by the light of the setting sun.

Ace couldn’t help but let out a low whistle at the view. He’d seen pictures of the ocean before, but… Townsville had been inland, and then he’d moved into a more urban, yet still landlocked Montedena. He’d never actually been to the coast before.

When he finally picked his jaw off the floor, he sat down in the seat the waitress had pulled out for him. She smiled at him before saying, “The others will join you shortly. In the meantime, can I offer you a complimentary glass of wine, Mr. Copular?”

Ace shook his head. “No thanks, toots. You got any sodas?”

“Certainly. We have Diet Coke, Sprite, and ginger ale.”

Ace nodded along, before deciding, “I’ll have the ginger ale.” His nerves were starting to act up, so maybe that particular soft drink would settle his stomach.

The waitress vanished back inside, leaving Ace to contemplate his surroundings. Being surrounded by the gentle sound of the sea was eons better than the constant racket of the waste compactors in the Townsville Dump. It wasn’t a noisy city either, like Montedena.

It was a nice change. He could smell the fresh sea air, the breeze coming in that made the Venice heat bearable.

The waitress came by with his soda, served poshly in a wine glass, and he sipped at it thoughtfully. Still, no bandmates.

The sun had crawled low enough in the sky to be touching the horizon by the time he heard some kind of hubbub approaching the door to the terrace. He readied himself to stand out of his seat to greet them—that was a thing fancy people did, right?—and when the door swung open, two of his new bandmates spilled out, laughing… only to stop short when they saw Ace waiting for them.

They had the oddest expressions on their faces. Was it shock? Disappointment? The young lady was easier to read than the bald guy, but still, he could only detect a few hints of emotion. For all he could tell, none of them were positive, anyway.

Ace finally stood up out of his seat. “Heya, I’m Ace. You must be… Noodle and Russel?”

The two bandmates shared a brief, almost calculating look. Finally, Russel broke the tension with a low, “Man, I’m getting some serious deja vu.”

Noodle bubbled up with a laugh at that, and suddenly the mood was bright again. Pointedly ignoring the comment, Ace flashed them something between a sneer and a grin. He went to move closer to greet them, but he hadn’t even taken a single step before there came an, “Oi, quit blockin’ the door! I’m starving!” from behind Russel and Noodle.

The two other band members parted for a tall blue-haired man; process of elimination meant that this had to be the famed 2D. The singer pushed past them, but like his bandmates before him, he quickly stopped upon taking Ace in. This time, however, the reaction he got was much more dramatic.

2D immediately went pale, mouth dropping open slightly with a weak, “Oh.” His eyes were wide open in shock—and hey, speaking of which, what was going on with his eyes? They were pure white, no iris or pupil. As if that wasn’t creepy enough, they slowly began to darken, turning an eerie pitch black. If Ace hadn’t seen the change, he would’ve thought that the singer had empty sockets where his eyes should have been.

As Ace took in the disturbing and disturbed visage before him, 2D took a shaky step back. And then he turned around abruptly and hurried back out the way he’d come in.

Notes:

More to come!

Note: Since Ace has a kind of American-Italian accent, I will occasionally be slipping words of that dialect into this story.

Chapter 2: The Explanation

Before Ace could finish processing 2D’s hasty retreat, Russel turned to Noodle with a low, “I’ll handle this,” before following the steps of the lead singer back inside.

As the door swung shut again, Noodle let out a sharp exhale, pressing her hand to her forehead. Then, after a moment passed, she moved her hand to take in the sight of Ace, still standing with his own outstretched.

He smoothly let it swing down to rest against his thigh, and then raised it again to cross his arms. “So…” He began, trying to convey exactly what his thoughts were with that one word, but quickly decided that it was too confusing for even him to decipher anyway. “Nice to meet’cha.”

A small smile appeared on Noodle’s face. “Nice to meet you too.” She walked over to the seat across from where Ace had been sitting and plopped down in it. Following her lead, Ace joined her at the table.

“I guess it’s just the two of us for now, then?” Ace said. When Noodle nodded, he looked down, fidgeting his hands while he weighed the pros and cons of what to say. “Know if the boys will be back?”

Noodle opened her mouth to reply, but the door swung open again. Both of them turned eagerly to see who it was, and slightly sagged upon seeing it was just the waitress from before. “Do you know what you’d like for dinner?”

Despite not even having a menu, Noodle immediately replied, “The usual, please.”

“Of course. And for you, Mr. Copular?”

Ace thought for a moment—it had never occurred to him to read the menu—before shrugging and saying. “I’ll have whatever your biggest steak is.”

The waitress nodded, scribbling down their orders before placing a small bread basket in front of the two musicians and heading back the way she came.

Slowly, Noodle and Ace turned back to each other. Ace grabbed a hunk of bread to fill the awkward silence, and began tearing into it, realizing exactly how hungry he was.

“So,” Ace said, mouth partially full, “What’s ‘the usual’?” Never a wrong time for small talk.

“Oh,” Noodle said, sounding almost surprised, “Fried calamari. It’s really good here.”

Ace swallowed before replying, “Is that so? Maybe I should’ve ordered it too; you seem like a gal with good taste.” He tipped his shades briefly so she could see the wink he gave her.

“You’re a flatterer, huh?” Noodle said, giving him an appraising look.

Ace raised his shades immediately, his smile slipping. “Is that a bad thing?” he returned.

Noodle thought about it for a moment, gazing to the side. “No,” she mused. “It’s better than someone who’s rude.”

“Like our mutual friend?” Ace said, hoping to open the topic up to discussion.

Noodle laughed at that. “I guess, yeah. But ‘friend’ is a strong word, at least from my perspective.”

“Really?” Ace says, raising his eyebrows. “I’m surprised you wouldn’t go for something stronger. He told me he helped raise you, and that you’re his ‘right-hand gal’ now.”

“Murdoc is delusional,” Noodle said dismissively. “He was never really the fatherly sort. Russel and 2D were definitely more of a positive influence than he ever was.”

“I see.” Ace stuffed another piece of bread in his mouth to cover his bemusement. “Yeah, I guess it’s not that surprising,” he mumbled through his mouthful.

“But he’s a friend to you?” Noodle pried, looking at him curiously.

“Eh,” Ace stalled with a swallow, trying to figure out how to express his relation to Murdoc. “I mean, he’s always tellin’ me that I owe him for helping me out back when I, uh,” he paused for a moment, before moving on with, ”when I was goin’ through a rough time. ‘Green bloke solidarity,’ and all that.” He took a pull off his glass of ginger ale.

“So you met in jail, then?”

Ace flinched, spraying some of the soft drink in his surprise. Noodle casually leaned to the side to avoid the soda mist drifting in her direction.

“Um,” Ace paused to cough, “Yeah. Jeez, you’re pretty direct, aint’cha?”

Noodle looked at him skeptically. “Well, duh. It’s important for me—for the band—to know how much you and Murdoc are alike, Ace.”

“I’m my own person,” Ace said indignantly. “I’m not some kinda ‘Murdoc Lite’.”

“Oh yeah?” Noodle said, unimpressed. “You’re similar enough that you sent 2D running in a panic, and that’s going to be a problem.”

Ace pulled a face. “Is that what that was about? Murdoc and I don’t look that similar. What, is 2D racist against green folk, or somethin’?”

“Oh my god,” Noodle sighed, rolling her eyes. She pursed her lips, and she turned away from Ace to think for a moment. Finally, she said, “Look, I’m going to tell you this because it’s important for you to know. The most likely reason 2D ran off is because he thought you were Murdoc, and that’s because his eyesight is shit. His eyesight is shit because of the two different car accidents Murdoc put him through.”

“Oh,” Ace said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Um—”

“Oh, it doesn’t end there,” Noodle interrupted, tone dark. “Ever since then, Murdoc has since gotten his fucked-up kicks out of treating 2D like rubbish. Physical abuse, emotional abuse... you name it, Murdoc has probably done it to 2D.

“Now Murdoc’s in jail, and 2D finally has some room to be himself without getting constantly harassed. And now, just when we’ve started hoping Murdoc might finally be out of the picture, he sends us you.”

The door opened, and the waitress returned, this time with their dinners. As though she could sense the tense atmosphere, she simply stayed silent as she put their plates in front of them and then swiftly made her retreat.

The awkwardness and pity Ace felt wasn’t enough to keep him from salivating at the sight of the thick slab of rare beef before him. He forewent the steak knife in favor of his switchblade, and didn’t miss the unimpressed expression Noodle gave him at the sight of his pride and joy.

He chewed his way through his first few bites of steak, thinking over what he wanted to say. “Look,” he sighed. “I’m not a saint. Let’s get that out of the way. I had a messed up childhood. I’ve been a delinquent since I was a teen. Yes, I’ve done a lotta time.” He cut his next piece with enough vigor to make the blade squeak on the plate.

“But,” Ace finally said, putting down his silverware so that he could pull his shades off and tuck them into the neck of his sweatshirt to make eye-contact with Noodle, “At least I’m trying to get better. I haven’t been in the big house for the past three years, and I plan on staying out. I don’t go around messing with people who don’t deserve it, like I did when I was a punky teen.”

He sighed and picked up his fork to stab it into another bite of steak. “Murdoc,” he began, “don’t realize that something’s wrong with him. Or if he does, he don’t give a darn about it. He’s the kinda guy who never changes. A dependable stanna mabaych, if you’re being nice.” He raised the piece of beef to his mouth, chomping down on it greedily. “But me, I’m here because I wanna get my act together; I’ve got the chance to have the kind of life I’d always wanted to as a kid! I’m not gonna mess that up.

“And besides,” he said, taking another sip of his ginger ale, “I’ve got no grudge against this 2D fella. I literally just met him, if you want to call seeing someone for two seconds ‘meeting’ them. I may notta been keeping up with your band much in the past few years, but I did listen to a few tracks on my way here, and what can I say, 2D’s got a good voice. It’s one of the reasons, if not the main reason you guys are as popular as you are. If I’m gonna work with you guys, I figure he’s the one that deserves the most respect.

“But hey,” Ace finished, “I’m thinking maybe you and Russel deserve some respect too, if you want to help him get better this much. You seem like the good guys, and I hope that maybe someday you’ll trust that I’m tryin’ to be one too.”

He set his fork and knife down to gauge Noodle’s reaction, which was to stare back at him with an unreadable expression on her face.

“You know what?” she finally said, that small smile creeping onto her face again, “I think we’re gonna keep you.”

——

Once the two had finished dinner, and then dessert, Noodle led Ace up to the penthouse suite. Upon entering, he gawked at how fancy the whole place looked. There was a crystal chandelier in the common area, with a fancy circular velvet couch beneath it. The mini-kitchen setup was impressive for any hotel, too, although Ace couldn’t possibly think of eating right now; he couldn’t even remember the last time he’d had so much food in one sitting.

There were two bedrooms per each side of the suite, and each set was connected by a common bathroom. Noodle and 2D were on one side, with Russel and Ace on the other.

“Here’s your keycard, so you don’t get locked out,” Noodle said. “Your room is the one on the left-left side.”

Ace accepted the card and tucked it into his pocket. “Thanks, Noodle. I guess I’ll see you in the morning? When’s wake-up for us rockstars?” Ace had been running on his own schedule for a while, and was hoping he could continue to wake up late. With a suite this luxurious, the beds had to be amazing too.

“10 AM. There’s a great breakfast place nearby,” Noodle replied with a knowing smile at Ace’s distraught expression. “You’ll get used to it. See you in the morning.”

With that, she sauntered her way over to her side of the suite. Ace, left to his own devices, made his way to his own room.

Upon opening the door, however, Ace was suddenly struck with a sharp pain in his stomach. He doubled over, clutching his abdomen. He glanced around, panicked, looking for the door to the adjoining bathroom, and he rushed inside, leaving his luggage and bass behind.

He made it not a moment too soon, and he dropped to his knees in front of the toilet to empty the contents of his stomach into it. His eyes watered as he retched into the bowl, coughing loudly as he hacked up his dinner.

His stomach finally settled around ten minutes later, and he propped his arms on the seat to rest his cheek against them, gasping for breath.

“Um,” said a voice from behind him, causing him to start. “You okay, man?”

Ace whipped his head around to see Russel, peeking at him from the slightly ajar door leading into the adjacent room. “Ugh,” he simply rasped.

“You drunk?” The drummer asked, staring at him with a mixture of concern and wariness.

“What?” Ace asked, wiping his mouth. “No. No, I don’t drink.” He coughed again before shaking his head and slowly standing. “It must’ve been what I had for dinner. I haven’t eaten that much, in… ever.”

Russel stared at him before nodding. “Makes sense. If you’re not used to eating a lot, or eating rich food, you’re gonna get sick.”

“Thanks for the warning,” Ace said dryly, before flushing the toilet and moving over to the sink to rinse his mouth out. “So much for living the high life.”

“Just take it easy,” Russel answered. “You’ve got the time, apparently, since Noodle seems to like you.”

Ace chuckled weakly. “What are you guys, a hivemind?”

“Nah,” Russel said, digging his phone out of his pocket. “Just quick texters, man.”

Notes:

Attention all! I am looking for a new beta reader. The ideal candidate would be someone who would give a mix of grammar corrections and personal reactions. Please message me on tumblr at my blog, volatilesoloist-ao3, if you’re interested. Bonus points if you’re super familiar with both PPG and Gorilla lore!

Chapter 3: A Late Night and Early Morning

Grrrrmmm.

Ace blearily came to, with no clue as to what time it was, or why he wasn’t sleeping peacefully like he ought to be. With a bit of shuffling, Ace pulled his phone from beneath his pillow to check the time. Oh boy, 3 AM. Why the heck was he awake?

GrrrrMMMMMMM, his stomach rumbled. Oh, that’s why. Ace remembered with distaste how he’d lost the best meal he’d ever eaten. Clearly he wasn’t even allowed to enjoy having a high-enough status to eat fancy food.

Oh well. He’d spent this long living off whatever he could get his hands on. Was room service even open this late? Ace picked up the phone from the cradle on the bedside table and dialed the number listed next to it.

“Hotel Rey, this is the front desk. How may I help you?” a pleasant voice answered. Thankfully, it wasn’t the prick from before.

“Yeah, this is Ace. I’m in the penthouse suite, and I’m starving. Can I get an american cheese sandwich and a coke?”

“I’m sorry sir, but room service closes at midnight—”

“The penthouse suite,” Ace interrupted, “Where Gorillaz is staying. You’re telling me you can’t make an exception for us?”

There was a moment of silence from the other end, before the receptionist finally said, “Of course, sir. Your food will be up shortly.”

“Great.” Ace hung up.

It took him a minute to realize that he should probably relocate to the living room so he could answer the door when his paltry meal arrived. Heaving himself off his bed, he grabbed his phone and crept into... the pitch-black darkness of the common area.

Ace quickly tapped the flashlight setting on his phone so he wouldn’t stub his toes as he tried to find his way around. Now able to successfully navigate the room, he made his way over to the center couch and sprawled across the comfortable cushions.

He decided to fiddle with his phone while he waited, and he eventually found his way to a video of an interview Gorillaz had conducted after the release of their last album. 2D and Murdoc sat on a couch while chatting about Humanz, and Ace watched with interest for anything he could learn about the dynamic of his new bandmate and his old ‘friend’.

Immediately he could pick up a pattern. Murdoc easily dominated the conversation, at times shutting 2D down to do so. If Murdoc had treated Ace like that, he wouldn’t have taken it sitting down. Still, the atmosphere in the video remained somewhat friendly?

He was about halfway through the video when there came a sound from behind him. It was a dull thump, like something soft had collided with something hard. It was enough to make Ace drop his phone as he jumped, and immediately he scrambled to pick it up. When he finally managed to grab it, he straightened up and whirled around to aim the light at where the sound had come from.

There was no one in sight.

It took a few more moments of frantically directing the beam in different directions until he finally noticed that one of the armchairs behind him had been knocked slightly askew. Slowly, he crept closer to the chair, trying to keep his footsteps quiet. There was the slightest hint of sound. Was that… was that breathi—

Knock knock knock.

Ace jumped again. On the one hand, he was greatly disturbed by the possibility that there was someone else in the room with him. On the other, he was really, really hungry. With a final concerned look at the chair, he hurried to the main door.

“Here’s your food, sir,” said a very tired-looking server.

From behind Ace, there was the quiet sound of a door opening and shutting. He quickly grabbed the food from the server, gave a hurried, “Thanks,” and then closed the door before all but running back to his room with his haul, locking the door behind him.

——

“It’s way too early to be up,” Ace grumbled as he slumped in the back of the group’s car, hood pulled low over his face and sunglasses in place to protect him from the glaring morning sun.

“It’s only ten o’clock Ace,” Noodle teased, “Not a morning person?”

“No, I’m not.” He paused for a moment to add, “But I’m awake enough to notice that we’re missing someone.”

“2D’s gonna meet us at the studio,” Noodle said casually.

“Not a breakfast guy?” Ace pushed.

“Not today, at any rate,” Russel interjected, with a sense of finality.

Hmph. Try as he might, 2D couldn’t prolong their meeting forever. It would have to happen if they were to work together on the album. Really, he was being kinda childish about it. Speaking of...

“Hey, Noodle… were you up late last night, by any chance?”

“Nope,” Noodle answered. “If I don’t get all my ‘beauty sleep’, my makeup artist spends half a bloody hour on my case.” After a brief pause, she turned to look around at him, a curious expression on her face. “Why?”

Ace weighed the pros and cons of answering truthfully, and decided it wasn’t worth bringing up what had transpired the night before. “Had trouble falling asleep,” he finally said, “Bed was too soft, yanno?”

Russel laughed at that. “That’s a problem you’re only gonna have for a short time, Ace. You’ll get used to it.”

“I’m hopin’ so,” Ace said fervently. Not only would he prefer being able to enjoy his new life, but he wanted to be around long enough for that to even happen. With 2D being so unpredictable, how was he supposed to know what the future would hold?

——

“Ace, take a selfie with me,” Noodle suddenly said, throwing down her fork to sling an arm around Ace and pull him into her phone camera’s view. As it was, this startled Ace enough that he ended up choking on his bland scrambled eggs.

The bassist barely saw the bright light of the flash through his watering eyes, and he pulled away, gasping for air. When he finally was able to breathe again, he glared at Noodle. “What was that about?”

“Relax,” Noodle said, “You needed some good publicity.”

“Publicity?” Ace said, balking. “You’re gonna post that?” He snatched for the phone, but Noodle held it out of his reach before deftly tossing it to Russel.

“Ooh, that’s for keeps, Noodle.” Russel said as he glanced at the photo, barely containing a laugh.

“C’mon,” Ace whined. “Can I at least see the picture that’s gonna ruin my frickin’ image?”

Noodle scoffed. “So rude.”

“Can I please see it,” Ace amended, gritting his teeth.

With that, Russel handed him the phone. “Being polite can open a lot of doors, Ace,” the drummer said sagely. Ace just thought it was condescending, and he ignored it in favor of staring at the selfie.

“Oof,” Ace said with a wince. “I’ve taken mugshots better than that.”

“Now that’s bad publicity,” Noodle said, before adding, “Even if it wasn’t real, you know?”

Ace looked up at her, thoroughly bewildered. “What the heck is that supposed to mean?”

“Well,” Russel said, disregarding Ace’s confusion to talk to Noodle. “Unless he’s talking about the one from the time he was in the same jail as Murdoc?”

“You have both completely lost me,” Ace said, scratching his head. “What’s a ‘fake’ mugshot?”

“You know, whatever ones got taken when you were on the PPG set?” Noodle clarified.

“The what?”

Now both Russel and Noodle were giving him strange looks. “When you were acting for The Powerpuff Girls show?” Russel added, tone sounding as though this wasn’t something that should’ve needed clarification.

“The Powerpuff Girls had a show?” Ace was more lost than ever. “Since when?”

Noodle grabbed her phone from Ace’s now slack grasp and tapped away. “Google says 1998. Seriously, Ace, how can you not know when your show started?”

“What do you mean, ‘show’?” Ace said, now getting frustrated. “There was never any ‘show’! Any time I ever saw those kids, there weren’t no camera crews around. I might’ve been busy getting my butt kicked, but I think I would’ve noticed! And what the heck do you know anything about what went on in Townsville, anyway?”

Noodle and Russel stared at him, seemingly stunned by the revelation. “Wait,” Noodle said, amazement in her tone. “You’re telling me that all that was real? You’re not an actor?”

“No, I’m not!” Ace snapped. Then he paused for a moment and felt a sense of dawning horror. “You mean to tell me,” he said, mopping a bead of sweat from his brow, “that anything that went on in my hometown got friggin’ televised?”

“I mean, yeah,” Russel said. “The Powerpuff Girls was a pretty popular kids’ show. Damn, and you said that was all real? You really got a mad-scientist-monkey up in your town?”

“Oh my god,” Ace groaned, burying his head in his hands. “I got my butt kicked on live TV.”

“Multiple times,” Noodle said helpfully, and sadistic glee entered her tone when she added, “by children.”

“Oh my god.”

Notes:

Thanks to whoopstess for beta reading!

My reasoning behind the whole last segment: http://gayshadowgov.tumblr.com/post/176217127017/broke-woke

Chapter 4: Ignore This Chapter!

Summary:

An update for my readers.

UPDATE - 11/13/21

I'm BACK BABY!! Skip this chapter and read the next!

Hey there.

It’s been a while, huh?

I wanted to apologize for taking so long on this story. I know you’ve been waiting for updates.

The long and short of it: I’m not giving up on Too Many Times. But I also won’t be posting any more of it until I’ve written it to completion. I hope you’re not disappointed.

I look forward to the days when I’ve finished this and can start putting it out into the world again. Until then, keep on being awesome!

UPDATE - 03/17/21

Been an even longer while, huh? After a two year hiatus, I’ve started seriously working on this story again. I have the entire thing planned out start to finish (over 20 chapters), and I’ve employed a new writing technique to help me bang out chapters: every time I want to play video games, I have to write at least two paragraphs first.

I’m tempted to stick to writing the whole thing first and then releasing it chapter by chapter after, but if you want me to release chapters as I finish them, this is your chance to speak up! You can also follow my writing tumblr “volatilesoloist-ao3” for WIPS and updates!

Wish me luck!

Chapter 5: A First Meeting and a First Fitting

Summary:

I'M BAAAACK!

 

--

It's time to record! Let's get this album started!

Ace’s nerves were buzzing as the trio finally pulled up to the recording studio; Bluff Alley was a long, Mediterranean-style building located next to a busy road, and Ace might have mistaken it for a house, were it not for the big, neon sign on the wall.

Ace gestured to it. “Bluff Alley sounds like a record company Murdoc would open,” he chuckled uneasily.

Noodle laughed back with him. “Yeah, I guess it does. But we wouldn’t be recording here if it was, that’s for sure.”

“How did sessions go, back when he was in the band?” Ace asked, now curious.

“Ugh. Sometimes we would just be able to jam it out and really play off each other, you know? Those were the good old days,” Noodle sighed, almost wistfully. “And then some days he’d try to set a ‘vibe’ and make us listen to awful music while he got drunk. It depended on his mood.”

“Yeah, that sounds about right. A pretty temperamental guy, through and through.”

The three of them sat in silence for a moment, before Ace finally pointed out the elephant in the room, “So, uh... is 2D gonna be here for this recording session, or is it just us?”

Immediately Noodle scowled, but then relaxed her features into a more neutral expression. “He said he’d come a little later. He had some lyrics he needed to perfect first, or something like that.”

“Ah,” Ace said, trying to remain diplomatic. Honestly, it was just getting more and more apparent that 2D was pretty keen on avoiding him. He still felt a little irked that he apparently looked enough like Murdoc to spook the guy; personally, Ace thought he was way more attractive than Murdoc.

He opened the car door and hopped out, holding it open for Noodle to exit behind him, and she huffed out a small laugh as she did so, carrying her guitar case over to the entrance. Russel came out last, fiddling with his pockets before producing a pair of keys that he jingled before inserting into the door of the building, which opened with a squeak.

The lights flickered on automatically as they walked inside. “We’re basically opening the place up, ain’t we?”

“Yeah, but things stay pretty clean, so we don’t need housekeepin’. Now that Mudz isn’t slinging bottles everywhere, anyways.”

It seemed like an expansive studio, with lots of expensive gear Ace couldn’t put a name to. Just because he could turn up with a bass didn’t mean he’d ever been in a proper recording booth before. But everything seemed in order, and as Ace lugged in the case for his bass, the rest of the band began to set up with their various instruments. Noodle wasted no time in tuning her guitar, and Russel started rummaging around for his drumsticks. A lone keyboard with a mic occupied the center of the room, unattended for the moment.

Ace decided to turn his mind from the awkwardness and instead pulled out his bass. God, he frickin’ loved his bass. White with blue and pink decals, and a couple of kickbutt stickers to complete the personalization. He heard a low whistle from across the room, and he looked up to see Noodle gazing approvingly at him. “Sweet bass,” she said. “Play something.”

“What?” Ace said, suddenly put on the spot.

“We should know what your style is, before we actually work on any songs.”

“Oh, sure,” Ace said, trying to stave off a sudden bout of stage fright. “Just... play anything?”

When Noodle merely nodded at him in response, Ace slung the strap over his shoulder, strummed once to check if the darn thing was even in tune, and let out a deep breath. He readjusted his shades, looking for any excuse to not play yet. He didn’t want to use one of Murdoc’s basslines, and felt an immense and unfamiliar amount of pressure, as he tried to pick a song that wouldn’t be too derivative.

But suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, the perfect song came to mind. A smile curled on his face as he placed his fingers on the fretboard, and without further ado, began strumming the bassline from Muse’s “Hysteria”. His fingers flew across the strings as he played the song, appropriately frantic but smooth, flying from note to note like a bat out of a belfry. It was a little quicker than what he was normally used to, but screw it—this was the time to impress. Keeping up with the pace was a challenge, and he vaguely noticed himself sweating a bit.

After about a minute or so, he actually looked up at Noodle and Russel, and he saw that their attention was firmly on him—in contrast to how it made him nervous before, he actually felt emboldened. To keep things fresh, he decided to switch what he was playing. Since he already had Muse on the brain, he began to play the bassline from “Uprising”; the low, crunchy bass was always fun to play. He felt like he’d manage to hit his groove, and so it took him a moment to look up again and see that... they were staring past him.

His strumming faltered to a stop, and when he turned around, he saw the unmistakable blue-haired head of none other than their absentee leader, peeking around the edge of the door.

“Uh...” Ace struggled with what to say, very conscious about not saying anything that would put 2D off again. “Nice to meet ya, boss.” He figured a little humor and flattery might break the fragile ice between them.

2D poked his head out a smidge further, and squinted at him. Ace hadn’t noticed it before, but the guy’s eyes were pure white. Gave him an almost spooky look.

Tentatively, 2D finally spoke. “... you don’t sound like Murdoc.”

Oh man. “That’s cuz I’m not Murdoc, pal. Not all green guys are created equal, and I’m the new and improved model, ya get me?”

“... right.”

He finally straightened up and stepped through the doorway, absentmindedly wringing his hands before abruptly stopping, as though he’d caught the tic. He spent a moment just standing in front of Ace before he stuck his hand out for him to shake. “Stuart Pot, but everybody calls me 2D.”

Ace finally broke a smile; now they were getting somewhere. He clasped his hand in 2D’s, giving it a firm shake. “The name’s Ace D. Copular.” 2D let go first, but his hand dragged against Ace’s nails as he did, something he might have called ‘caressing’, if the thought didn’t sound utterly insane. Ace quickly yanked his hand away, kinda weirded out. 2D, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought.

Finally, Russel cleared his throat from the back of the room. “You’re late, man, let’s get set up.”

Guess we aren’t going to waste any time schmoozing. Russel’s words seemed to break 2D out of his reverie. “Oh yeah, sorry.” He walked past Ace to the middle of the room where his keyboard awaited, before digging out a very worn-out little notepad. He flipped through it for a good while before finally settling on a song. “Right, this one’s called, uh, ‘Tranz’.”

Ace took a seat on one of the amps as 2D began to play a low yet energetic tune. Immediately, Ace was intrigued by the music—the melody 2D was playing would be killer for the bass part of the song. He tentatively began to quietly play along to the keyboard, getting a feel for the sound.

“Let me sodding play first, Mudz,” 2D suddenly snapped, not even bothering to look back at him.

Taken aback, Ace grumbled, “And I ain’t ‘Mudz’, am I? Practically just introduced myself and everything.”

“Ok, ok,” Noodle suddenly interjected. “Just keep playing, 2D.”

2D sighed, running his palm over his face wearily. He started playing once more, but this time, he made it to the actual lyrics of the song. “Oscillate yourself tonight, when you’re in your bed; assimilate the dopamine passing through your head. When you get back on a Saturday night, and your head is caving in—do you look like me, do you feel like me, do you turn into your effigy?”

Ace’s first impression of the song was that it would be a killer tune in a club. The chorus was intense, and he could already imagine putting some effect pedals to work when he could finally play it.

When 2D finished playing, he looked around the room at everyone gathered there. Russel nodded, and Noodle gave him a thumbs up. Ultimately, Ace just shrugged.

2D scowled, but ultimately went back to his notepad. “Uh, I got another one, lemme just find it.” he rifled through the pages, trying to find what he was looking for. “Maybe ‘Idaho’? Nah, no... let’s just do Kansas, yeah?”

He started plunking out a melancholic, almost nostalgic melody.“I’m not gonna cry—I’ve got more time to give. I’m not gonna cry—find another dream. Am I incapable of healing? The memory of my fall from grace in your heart. I’m on my journey home, with no fuel, alone... I think I’ll coast a while.”

Focusing on the lyrics, Ace was struck by how... break up-y the song sounded; the kind of thing some hopeless romantic would say after being ditched. “But if I got it right, you’d tell me. And if I was wrong, then I’d disappear.” It was a pretty song, but kind of depressing.

When 2D finished playing, Ace couldn’t keep himself from asking, “Nice song. Get dumped lately?” before realizing there were much better ways he could have phrased it.

Immediately, 2D flushed bright red. The scowl came back with a vengeance—man, if looks could kill. “It’s none of your business, innit?” He grumpily turned back to his papers, muttering to himself. “Humility? ...No, not in the mood... not Sorcererz...” He spent a good period of time just mumbling under his breath before finally slamming the pad shut. “I’m done for today, yeah. Gonna come back to this in a day or two.” And without further ado, he walked out the door of the recording room, closing it with a bang.

Slowly Ace turned his head from the door, back to the other band members. Their faces were on the ‘unhappy’ side of unreadable, and Ace hastened to say, “To be fair, that was not all on me.”

Noodle facepalmed.

——

“So where are we going, fellas?” Ace asked, after the silent mood in the car started to get to him. Still feeling a little offended at how 2D treated him, he was desperate for something to go right.

Russel half-turned in the passenger seat, and Ace was surprised to see a slight smile on his face. “We’re gonna get you some new threads, bud.”

“What? Really?!” This was far from what Ace had expected, but the idea of getting some fresh clothes was way better than anything he could’ve been paranoid about. “Why?”

“You gotta look the part, man. You’re in Gorillaz. And right now you’re kinda reppin’ literal threads.”

Ace fake-winced. “Ey, I resent that remark!” But looking at his stained hoodie and holey jeans, he felt excitement beginning to well up. “Alright, I’m down with this!”

Not long after, the car passed into more ritzy territory, full of a lot of it seemed pretty tasteful—avant-garde, even— boutiques, but what really caught Ace’s eye was a punk-looking retailer with its front windows full of beautiful leather jackets. “Here, here, stop at this one!” Noodle quickly pulled over into a conveniently nearby parking spot, and Ace bounded out of the car and mounted the steps, not waiting for the other two to follow.

“This is what I’m talkin’ about!”

Various jackets lined walls, looking punk top to bottom. Ones with fluffy trim, pre-wear, and an assortment of patches in neat boxes near the walls. Ace could hardly contain himself, and grabbed several different jackets, trying them on like the deliquent he’d always really wanted to be.

As he was agonizing over which ones to pick, it suddenly dawned on him that he could have all of the ones he liked. L.A. was pricey, but surely the band revenue gave them all big wallets! Noodle and Russ had ambled in behind him at some point, and he looked at them for confirmation. “What do ya think?”

Russ nodded. “Suits you.”

“You definitely seem like a jacket guy!” She puttered around various shelves before plucking a well-worn letterman jacket and showing it to Ace. “You could totally get an ‘A’ patch on here!”

Ace nodded, hand on his chin. “Yeah, that’d be great.” He searched in the patch boxes and picked a few that suited his tastes, before looking around at the shop. “Now,” he started. “Would that count as tailoring? And like... could I get custom tailored clothing?”

Noodle smiled and nodded, an appraising look in her eyes. “Yeah! Got something in mind?”

“Oh brotha, you better believe it.”

Notes:

I've finally finished the whole story!!! I'll be posting a chapter every week on Saturday around 4:45 PM EST.

Leave a comment telling me what you’ve been up to since I last posted hahaha.

Chapter 6: Humility

Summary:

In which Ace sleeps in and misses something big, which we can all relate to.

It was finally time.

After a few stiff rehearsals, it was time to record the first song of the album. Ace felt more nervous than he’d been in the practice sessions, but attempted to smooth the feelings over. Now he could just get into the rhythm, and maybe that would be enough to solidify his place in the band. From a nobody to the bassist of Gorillaz! The novelty of being sort of famous hadn’t worn off yet.

“‘Humility’ is a funny name for an album opener, if ya think about it,” Ace snickered, “It’s gotta make the biggest impression of them all!”

“It’s gonna,” 2D answered, sounding resolute. “This is music heart and soul, innit?”

“Right,” Ace said, somewhat mollified that 2D had answered at all.

Noodle broke the brief but awkward silence that followed with a cheery, “It’s gonna be a banger!” to which Russ nodded his agreement.

“Right, on four, yeah?” Everyone readied their instruments. Ace felt more alight and alive than he’d been in ages.

“One, two, one two three four.”

Humility had a very easy bass line, mostly rhythmic repetition. It didn’t sound like much when he’d practiced alone, but as the drums, guitar, and synths kicked in, it became one dynamic, but very chill, swirl. It almost had a tropical, lighthearted vibe, and Ace was more than fine grooving to it.

“Calling the world from isolation, cuz right now that’s the ball where we be chained,” 2D started, sounding almost wistful. “And if you’re comin’ back to find me, you better have good aim!”

As 2D continued to sing, Ace really couldn’t help but once again notice the undertones of ‘leaving a breakup’. “I need you in the picture, that’s why I’m calling you.” But unlike some of the other songs, ‘Humility’ had an almost triumphant tone, with an airy beat and uplifting vibes.

Maybe 2D was working toward leaving the past behind? That’d make things so much easier for Ace. Wasn’t his frickin’ fault 2D had baggage.

Focus, he thought, and fell back into an easy sway with the beat. The music floated in the air like a summer breeze, and when 2D reached the bridge, it hit Ace that it meant the song was almost done.

In his excitement, he accidentally flubbed a chord.

He felt his heart stop for a moment and tried his best to play past it, but 2D slowly halted his singing and turned his head to glare at Ace.

“Again, from the top, then.”

God dammit.

Once again, they began to play. Ace focused with all his might, determined to not slip up again. Unsurprisingly, he felt an almost competitive need to step up his performance. As Russel tapped the beginning beats of the song, he took a deep but firm breath. He’d get it right, this time.

2D began to sing, and Ace tensely picked at the strings on his bass, no longer feeling quite as free-spirited as the first runthrough. He grounded himself with Noodle’s strumming, as it closely mirrored his bassline, and tried to find his inner beat.

”I’m the lonely twin, the left hand; reset myself and get back on track.”

Resetting and getting back on track sounded good right about now. He’d get it right. He’d get—

Another bungled chord.

This time 2D whipped around, a sneer on his lips. “Pull yourself together, yeah? Don’t bung it up this time.”

“Jeez, I’m sorry!” This was only making Ace more nervous. He almost debated whether or not to just storm out of the studio to take a break, but he steeled his resolve. He’d prove himself.

They started again. ”Callin’ the world from—twang—Bloody fucking hell! Even dead drunk, Mudz played—”

“Ā kuso, that was me,” Noodle said, and 2D stopped mid-rant.

“You?” he said, sounding flummoxed. Ace finally took a breath as the attention was drawn away from him.

“Yeah, made a mistake. Let’s do this again!” Ace saw Noodle direct a sly wink at him.

“Callin’ the world—badum tsh—not you too?!” This time Russ had made the ‘mistake’, but it was very clearly on purpose.

“Sorry man. Maybe you shouldn’t write such tough songs. I can barely keep up,” he deadpanned.

2D put his hands up to his face in frustration. “Unbelievable. My own band, sabotagin’ me!”

“Your family sabotaging you,” Noodle chided. “Clearly we’re not much of a band, if we get it wrong this much!”

Badum tsh.

At that, Ace couldn’t help but burst out a laugh, and as he shook his head, giggling, it triggered Noodle to start chuckling, and soon the room was filled with raucous laughter, from everyone except 2D.

“Alright, alright, let’s get it together, you sods!” 2D said, almost pleading.

It ended up taking most of the afternoon to finally get a clean recording.

By the end of the session, Ace seemed to be the only person who was exhausted, but he was also in fairly high spirits. I guess everyone else is used to this.

As Ace put his instrument away, he felt someone standing behind him, and he turned his head to see that it was none other than 2D blocking his light. “Can I help ya, boss?” Ace said, feeling a little wary.

There was a millisecond of hesitancy before 2D stowed his hands in his pockets and said. “You play bass alright, I s’pose.”

Ace blinked, surprised by the half-compliment. He took it instead as a half-apology, and he let his usual lazy smile cover his face and said, “Comin’ from you, that’s high praise. Thanks.”

2D almost smiled at that, but turned and left before Ace could see if he actually would. Letting out a tense sigh, he locked the case and picked it up by the handle. As he moseyed out to the parking lot, he saw Noodle loading her own gear into the truck.

“Hey, um, thanks for that back there,” Ace said, as he approached her. “You broke the mood and made this, uh, bearable.”

Noodle gave him a small grin. “Mm, even I make ‘mistakes’. Plus,” she said in a slightly lower voice, “2D’s acting more like an arse than I’d expect from him. So I need to bring him down a few notches,” she finished, and her tiny smile grew more mischievous.

Wonder what their little family was like when she was growing up.

——

“They’re filming the music video today?” Ace said incredulously, scratching his head as he cradled his phone in the crook of his shoulder; his free hand was occupied with holding the piece of toast he was hurriedly scarfing down. “They said we weren’t doing it until next week?!”

The sadsack of an assistant on the end of the line said, “Sorry, sir. All I can say is that the date was changed a few days ago.” Tentatively, he offered, “If you hurry to the set, you might be able to make it on time.”

“Gonna friggin’ doubletime, are you kidding me?” Ace hung up and raced to the elevator, fuming all the way. Woken to a deserted penthouse with no notes or texts? Rescheduled for a few days? How had no one told him about this??

Unless they did it on purpose...

Ace banished the thought as he entered the elevator, and tapped his foot nervously as he descended. Halfway through, he pulled out his phone and actually ordered an Uber. He exited the elevator as fast as possible, and dashed to the curb.

It was only a few minutes before the car arrived, and Ace slung himself into the back of the car. “There’s an extra 30 bucks in it for ya if you book it.”

“I’ll take that, yeah,” said the driver without skipping a beat, and pulled away from the hotel entrance with a tire-screech.

Anxiously, Ace stared out the windows of the vehicle, biting his nails until he noticed he was doing it. Bad habits. The boardwalk and its tourists soon came into view, and the moment he saw a film camera, he stopped the driver, forked over the cash, and sped toward the camera men.

“Hey, this is for Gorillaz ‘Humility’, right? I’m Ace, newest band member.” He pulled out his phone, showing a group picture they all took after the recording finished. The first camera man stared at the picture bemusedly, and Ace faltered, “I dunno, do band people have like, special IDs or something?”

The second man just laughed and said, “Nah, but you don’t see too many green fellas around here anyway. Filming already started, though, and I didn’t see any shots featuring you in the storyboards.”

“Jeez, man, you kidding me?”

The first man shrugged. “I dunno. It’s a nice day out, just enjoy the boardwalk or something.”

Fuming, Ace stalked away. He wasn’t really dressed for the ‘nice day’, and he was already starting to overheat from the sun. Not like he had any of his custom clothes yet, anyway. He leaned against a wall to get some shade, and broodily gazed across the sunny expanse.

If they planned this, I can’t believe Noodle would be in on it. She seemed pretty genuine and down to earth for someone so famous. He dug his phone out of his pocket and dialed her number.

One ring, two rings, three rings...

Voicemail.

Scowling, he stowed his phone away and went back to prowling the boardwalk. Eventually, he ended up near a relatively secluded spot next to a basketball court, where a couple of teens were shooting hoops. He debated finding a bench to sit on, but as he walked just beneath the hoop, the ball came racing toward his head, and he only just managed to catch it before it collided with him.

Punks. Ace glowered and thought, I can teach them a thing or two about being a punk. He pulled his switchblade out of his pocket, and with a smug grin, he punctured the basketball, sending it flying away as it depressurized.

“What are you doin’, man?” One of the teens yelled, looking more disappointed than pissed, but pissed all the same.

Ace frowned again and yelled back, “Watch where you throw things, stronzo!” and left in a huff. Kids these days. Back when he was young, you dealt with living in a dump, terrorizing mediocre townspeople for fun, and a few bucks so you could get your next meal.

Eventually, Ace’s steps brought him to the shore, and he gazed at the shimmering water, lost for any idea of what he could do while he waited. The shoot, back when it had been planned a lot later than today, was slated to run for a good portion of the day. It could be a while before anyone would pick up his calls.

He’d felt lonely before joining the band, but now that he had a taste of being back in a group, it just felt worse over all. For a moment, he almost missed the Gangreen Gang, and wasn’t that a throwback.

And then his phone rang. A FaceTime, from Noodle.

Snatching it out of his pocket, he quickly answered, and at the same time, Ace and Noodle both asked, “Where are you!?”

“I’m at the waterfront, where are you?”

Noodle looked frustrated. “You were supposed to be at the shoot, not having a beach day and terrorizing teenagers!”

“Well gee, I—wait, how did you know about that?” Ace said, bewildered.

“A couple of cameramen caught you on tape, you wad. Your curse of never seeing cameras continues,” she deadpanned.

“Anyways, I woulda been at the shoot if youse hadn’t left without me, without even telling me the shoot was today!”

Now Noodle seemed confused. “2D had to change the date so he could take care of ‘administrative stuff’. No one told you?”

“Nada.”

“And Russ was supposed to wake you up with a phone call, since apparently you ‘needed more sleep’, and—hang on, what, Russ?”

“I thought you were supposed to wake him up?” Russel said, somewhere off camera.

“Why would I ‘need more sleep’?” Ace interjected, “Who said that?”

There was a brief moment of silence, and then Noodle grumbled, “2D, again.”

“Jesus. This guy’s a menace! It’s like he doesn’t want me in the band!” Ace’s frustrations were building up to the breaking point.

She sighed, seemingly lost for words, but in the background of the call, Ace saw Russ pop into frame and say, “Well at least he got some karma, man. I tripped him during the shoot.”

Ace let out a surprised laugh, which turned into a cackle. “Amazing! Good work Russel! That’s hilarious.”

“Of course you’d find that funny,” 2D sourly muttered from just offscreen, “Two of a kind, you are.”

Ace hung up.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters!

Chapter 7: Tranz

Summary:

Noodle walked back toward the door. “I’ll let you get back to practicing, or trying on your new stuff. Send some selfies of your faves!” She gave a peace sign before leaving the room, and once Ace was alone, he pulled all of the clothes out of the box.

“—and you can’t just keep doing this! Like it or not, he’s a member of the band. Act your damn age, because you’re acting like a kid right now, and—”

Ace stood in his room, leaning on the door to hear the conversation out in the hall. Noodle was really reading 2D the riot act, and he would be lying if he said he wasn’t feeling real vindicated.

He’d honestly been debating flat-out quitting as he sat on the shore. Washed-up criminal or not, he didn’t deserve this kind of treatment. He’d almost convinced himself when Noodle finally tracked him down. She didn’t say anything at first, just sat down next to him contemplating the slowly setting sun.

“Come back to the hotel with us, Ace. It won’t always be like this.”

So he came back with them.

And now, back in the penthouse suite, he was rewarded for that decision by getting to listen to 2D getting thoroughly chewed out.

“—I know it’s tough but you need to get over yourself and start healing, Stu—”

Man, 2D wasn’t even defending himself, from the sound of it. When Noodle’s on a rampage, you yield, I s’pose.

Ace slid down to the bottom of the door and pulled his bass toward him so he could sling the strap over his shoulder. He’d just got the chords for “Tranz”, the next song on the album, and from the looks of it, it was way more exciting than the one in “Humility”. It was a very uptempo, and he could already feel himself vibing to the tune.

He got so into plucking the strings that he didn’t notice the arguing abate, and was taken by surprise when someone tried to open the door to his room, and it bonked him in the head.

“Ow, jeez!”

“Gomen, Ace! Can I come in? I need to put this box down!”

Box? “Yeah, sure thing.” He scooted away from the door and stood, pulling it open. The action caused Noodle, who’d been balancing the box against the door, to topple slightly, but she caught herself quickly.

She dumped the box on his bed. “Open it!”

Ace pulled out his switchblade, sliced the top, and pulled the flaps open, and—

Oh my god.

It was his new clothes. Jackets, vests, hats, tight pants—it was all there.

Ace almost squealed with joy, and he pulled out his favorite of the batch: a white vest with leopard print lapels, a belt with a bedazzled ‘A’ on the claspe, a pair of bell bottom jeans, and lovely grey heeled boots.

“Now that is a look!” Noodle said. “You’re so tacky Ace, I love it.”

Ace couldn’t help but laugh. “Tacky? I am the epitome of style, and I am definitely wearing this, if I ever manage to get in one of the music videos.”

Noodle gave a small smile. “You’re gonna be in the next one for sure. 2D isn’t happy, obviously, but I told him, ‘Go cry about it, old man’. So you’ll be showing those duds off soon enough!”

“Heck yeah,” Ace said, fist pumping.

“I might change up my own style for this vid. I’m really tempted to dye my hair!”

Ace nodded enthusiastically. “That’d look so cool! I could definitely see you with dyed hair. Maybe... a strawberry blond, or something?”

“I’ll take that under advisement,” she said amusedly, but Ace could tell she was intrigued. “You gonna go for your usual gel job?”

Ace preened. “You know it!”

Noodle walked back toward the door. “I’ll let you get back to practicing, or trying on your new stuff. Send some selfies of your faves!” She gave a peace sign before leaving the room, and once Ace was alone, he pulled all of the clothes out of the box.

Some of his new jackets had their patches now sewn on; one of his favorites was that of an ace playing card. He bought a bunch of brightly colored shirts, sure to stand out in a crowd, and he had a few lovely hats to try on. The thing he liked the least were a few new pairs of slightly gaudier sunglasses; he really liked his current shades, he’d had them forever. But in the name of style, he was ready to mix things up.

If he was guaranteed to get some video appearances, then he was going to make an absolute scene of things.

——

Oh, this was heaven. Ace was dead and in heaven, for sure.

The vibe on stage as they jammed out to “Tranz” was... transcendent. Russ was absolutely smashing the drums, and Noodle looked aloof as she strummed but her hair—strawberry blond—was the center of the stage. Ace himself was rocking his new duds, and was slapping the heck out of his bass. The greenscreen behind them killed the atmosphere a little, but he couldn’t wait to see what the animators would put surrounding them.

The main thing that killed the atmosphere was 2D. Ace tried not to pay attention to him, but 2D looked miserable, absolutely the grumpiest sap you’d even seen. He looked like he was having no fun at all, plunking out the keys. He only seemed alive when the special effect contacts made his eyes glow—those had taken some getting used to, since the first shoot took Ace by surprise and made him mess up.

But, again, this wasn’t about 2D. This was about the music, the sheer beauty of the music, a thrumming beat like a pulse that was sure to have everyone in the club on their feet. And oh man. Once the concerts rolled around? That was sure to be even better.

“Do you dance like this, forever?” Ace really wanted to. For once, he felt like a part of something good, something that mattered. Maybe that was sappy, but he never wanted this feeling to end.

The song felt like it was over too quickly, but they finished it up in record time. The animators and directors muttered about needing to refilm a few shots, and he was delighted to hear them grumble about 2D looking so upset.

“Oi, you.”

Speaking of which.

“Oh, heya boss,” Ace said as he turned, adjusting his sunglasses out of habit. “Have a good shoot? I had a lotta fun.”

2D, dressed in a used-to-be-crisp polo shirt and jeans and looking far less fabulous than Ace, wrung his hands for a moment before actually looking Ace in the eye and saying, “Shoot coulda been better, of course. But again, you play bass pretty good.”

“Aw, thanks 2D,” Ace said, wondering if this was his way of apologizing for his behavior. “I do try. Ya don’t sing half bad either.”

“Yeah... thanks,” 2D said, suddenly looking rather awkward. “Uh, we’re goin’ out for some drinks tonight, to celebrate the shoot, and Noodle wanted to know if you wanted to come along.”

“Oh,” Ace said, feeling rather awkward himself. “Uh, thanks? But no thanks. I don’t drink.”

2D did a double take, eyes widened almost comically. “Really?”

Ace now felt a little put on the defensive. “Yeah, never been my thing. Didn’t grow up with it, don’t feel a need for it now I’m older.”

“Huh,” 2D said, bemused. Ace wondered how much he’d been betting on him responding in the affirmative.

“Yup. So you all go and have a good time, boss. I’ll just chill in the penthouse.”

2D looked surprised again. “Oh, um, you don’t want—okay. Have fun, I s’pose?”

Ace rolled his eyes behind his shades. “You can count on it.”

“Alright... bye, then.”

Ace gave him a little salute, and 2D walked off, glancing briefly over his shoulder as he went. As Ace watched him retreat, he couldn’t help but feel slightly peeved, even though the whole interaction was an overall positive one. It was, like usual, as though 2D expected him to act like drunken old Murdoc. Well, whatever.

The group split up outside the venue—Bluff Alley didn’t have the kind of recording space for something this big, so they opted instead for a B-list movie studio called Flick Shack—and Ace called an Uber to get back to the hotel. It was getting late, and Ace stared out of the car window at the newly-lit street lamps passing by, casting light for those enjoying the L.A. nightlife.

As for Ace, the only nightlife he was interested in right now was kicking back in the massive hot tub back in the penthouse’s biggest bathroom. Rocking and rolling all night had made his lazy, hunched-up back muscles a bit more sore than he would’ve liked.

When they asked me to be a star, I didn’t know how much physical activity I’d be getting, Ace mused with a small smile. At least he could afford the Uber instead of having to walk all the way back to the hotel. Not that it’s in a reasonable walking distance, anyway.

Once the car pulled up to the hotel, he raced to the elevator, punching the button to take him to the penthouse. The elevator here, unlike the one in his old, crummy apartment, was pretty quick, and a smooth ride. Ding. In his eagerness, he pushed open the door to the penthouse open with such force that it made a loud, slamming sound, and he winced before shutting it. Thankfully it didn’t put a dent in the wall.

He briefly visited his room to carefully discard his cool outfit, hanging it up on a hanger with a mental note to get it dry cleaned, and he instead slipped into a comfy robe, another one of his custom purchases.

He sauntered into the enormous bathroom, all tiled floors and soft muted colors. The sinks were made of white marble, and the bathtub, the piéce de résistance, was a huge porcelain basin, attached to the wall in a cube-like outcropping that gave the tub some surrounding edges to rest anything you needed while you bathed.

Speaking of needing things, Ace thought as his stomach growled, and he picked up his cell and dialed the number for room service. After a few late night dinners, the poor nightman at the desk had referred him to the actual room service line, and now the person on call was well acquainted with him. As Ace’s call got finally picked up, the man sounded relieved that Ace was calling in before midnight. “Good evening, Mr. Copular. Another american cheese sandwich?”

“You know it, baby. With the can of coke! Thanks.”

While he waited, he finally turned the faucet of the tub on, and let the hot water gush into it. This was going to take a while.

When the tub was about half full, he heard a faint knock come from the main door to the apartment, and he raced over to the door, cinching his robe a little more shut so he wasn’t flashing the poor delivery man.

“Your food, sir.”

“Thank you very much.”

He gave him a ten dollar bill for a tip, and quickly shut the door to head back to the tub. He carried his bounty into the bathroom and placed it on the edge around the basin, and was delighted to note that it was almost full. He shut the hot water tap and now ran the cold one, swirling his hand in the water to mix it, but wincing at the hot temperature.

Finally, the hot bath water was just bearable for entering, and he shed his robe to dip in. Fortunately for him, the bathtub was long enough to fit even his lanky body, and once submerged, he turned on the jets for maximum enjoyment. The bubbles foamed up around him, especially the jet positioned at his back. It pushed the hot water against the sore muscles, and he felt himself melting, the tension of the day easing off.

This is the life. So what if 2D hates my guts? Ace mused, munching on his sandwich, if I can live like this, it’ll be worth it. He was very quickly getting used to the lap of luxury. It was everything he could’ve dreamed of when he was younger, even if now he didn’t have the cool ice powers he gained that one time. Ha. No pun intended.

It was going to suck to have to deal with someone who was dead set on not liking him, but Ace and Noodle at least were nice to him, and he could hold onto that. And even then, 2D’s behavior was improving. They weren’t going to be bedfellows any time soon, but Ace was more than fine with that. Beanpole with a pubestache and weird eyes isn’t much to look at. Guess both he and Murdoc have bad taste in men, Ace thought and chuckled.

By the time Ace finished chowing down on his sandwich, he’d heated up significantly from the bathwater, and the cool can of coke was very refreshing. This is the best bath I’ve ever had, even if now there’s some crumbs in here. He traced his thumb down some of the beads of condensation on the can.

He was still in the tub when he faintly heard the door of the penthouse open, and a slight clamor from his drunken bandmates as they entered. Wow, I’ve been in the bath this long?

Right on cue, Noodle banged on the door to the bathroom. “Aaaace, I need to get ready for bed.”

“Be out in a jiffy,” he called, and leaned forward to open the drain. Not all good things last forever, but there’s more to come. Of that, Ace was confident.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters!

Chapter 8: Hollywood

Summary:

“No, I am not wimping out!” said Ace, stubborn as ever, even in the sweltering heat. He’d get a picture with the sign if it killed him. “What’s the point of taking a trip to Hollywood if you can’t get to the freakin’ thing?”

--

The band takes a field trip to Hollywood to prepare for their next song.

“We’ve been.... hahh, hiking for what, two hours now? And we can’t even get right up next to the sign??”

“An hour and fifteen minutes. Don’t tell me you want to give up?” Noodle said with a smirk, “You wanted this, Ace!”

“No, I am not wimping out!” said Ace, stubborn as ever, even in the sweltering heat. He’d get a picture with the sign if it killed him. “What’s the point of taking a trip to Hollywood if you can’t get to the freakin’ thing?”

“We coulda just stayed in town. Lots of stuff to do,” Russel said.

Ace stopped for a moment to catch his breath, leaning against a large rock, and the group stopped with him. “Are we even going... to be able to make it to the photo site... before we’re scheduled for the recording session?”

“If we don’t take too many breaks,” 2D said, even though he sounded a little winded himself.

“C’mon Ace, we’re almost there! Wanna race to it?” Noodle challenged.

“NO!” Ace said again, this time more of a yelp. “My poor heart is gonna give out.” Noodle chuckled, but he ignored her and took a long drink from his water bottle, spilling a little of the precious liquid on his shirt in his desperation. Finishing with a sigh, he added, “Where do you even get all that energy from, Noodle?”

“I’m not an old man, like the rest of you,” Noodle snickered.

“Hey! I’m not old,” Ace grumbled, “I’m only 32.”

“‘Only,’” Noodle jeered under her breath.

“How old are you anyways?” Ace asked.

“26.”

“Oh come on, we’re not even that far apart! ‘Old man’,” he muttered, but stood up from where he’d been resting and reclipped his water bottle to one of his belt loops. “Alright, let’s keep going.”

The hiking trail was largely devoid of greenery, which was disappointing. What little there was, was partially dried up from drought. Back when they began the hike, Ace had been full of energy; he’d never really done hiking for the sake of hiking before, and the views were beautiful. Now, almost an hour and a half later, the rocky mountainside all looked the same to him. Very small forested sections offered brief respites from the blazing summer sun, and even when they were in the shade, the day was extremely humid.

Eventually, they reached a final crest, and as they stood at the peak of Mount Lee, they could see the famed Hollywood sign below them. It was, unfortunately, the back of the sign, but Ace felt suddenly reinvigorated from having reached the top at long last. He bounded forward to the edge, feeling his rebellious edge and wanting, for a moment, to just slide down the hill and get right up next to the sign.

“Bloody finally,” 2D said, and Ace turned his head to see him plonking down on a rock to catch his breath.

“No no, don’t sit down, let’s take a group photo!” Ace urged.

“Oooh, good idea, Ace!” Noodle said, and bounded to the edge with him. Russel made his way over, chuckling under his breath, and 2D got up with minimal grumbling to join them. Noodle opened up her fanny pack and got out a selfie stick, and attached her phone. “Ready, everyone?” She clicked the timer button on the camera app and extended the selfie stick. “Hai, chiizu!”

“Chiizu!” Ace echoed, and the phone snapped the picture. “Oh, that’s a killer shot. Let’s do some more!”

“You got it!” Noodle replied.

They took a series of photos: each member standing alone above the sign, arms extended; Noodle and Ace with their arms around each other’s shoulders, throwing peace signs; Ace and Russel pretending to fall off the cliff.

“Okay, last call for photos!” Noodle said, as she and Ace stood over her phone, looking at the various pictures, “How ‘bout silly faces?”

“Sure,” Ace laughed.

“Yeah, sounds good.” Russel said.

Everyone paused for a moment and looked at 2D. “Oh, alright,” he said, but he had a hint of a small smile on his face.

They gathered at the edge, and readied their faces. Noodle was wide-eyed with a crazy grin; Russel pulled at the corners of his mouth and stuck out his tongue; Ace pulled his shades up to show him going cross-eyed; and 2D gave himself a pig nose.

They snapped the picture, and they burst out into laughter at seeing the resulting photo. 2D seemed to be actually having fun, and for a moment, Ace relished the feeling of having a cohesive band experience.

Pictures aside, the view from the top was incredible too. Ace looked down and could see the entirety of Hollywood city, the fancy cars in the streets looking like toys, and the people were smaller than ants. He took in the vista and breathed in the mountain air. Man, I can’t believe I’m here.

“Not to be a stick in the mud,” Russel said, “But we need to be at the studio soon, man.”

“Can’t we just reschedule for later?” Ace half-jokingly whined.

“Not if you want a chance to hang with Snoop.”

Ace’s mind ground to a halt. “Snoop? Like Snoop Dog?”

“Yeah, he’s gonna record with us.”

“How did I not know this??” Ace said, bewildered and suddenly feeling a deep sense of urgency. “We need to get out of here, pronto!”

——

Ace hovered outside Bluff Alley, anxiously combing his hair and using his phone camera as a mirror.

“You don’t need to put so much effort in,” Noodle said teasingly, “You’re going to make it weird.”

“Hey, you’ve worked with Snoop before, so maybe it’s not a big deal for you.” Ace readjusted his sunglasses, then took them off. “Sunglasses or no sunglasses?” he asked.

“Whatever you want, Ace, it’s not like taking off a hat when the Queen walks by. It’s just Snoop.”

“‘Just Snoop’,” Ace mumbled.

One last deep breath, and Ace stepped into the recording studio. 2D and Russel were already inside, and there before them stood Snoop Dog in all his glory. Dressed casually in a track jacket and sweats—and less casually with a few gold chains—he wouldn’t have struck a massively imposing figure, if he weren’t over six damn feet tall.

He looked up as Ace approached. “What it do, tho? You the new guy, right?”

“Y-yeah,” Ace croaked, before clearing his throat. “Yeah, the name’s Ace Copular. Nice to meet ya!”

Snoop stuck out a fist. “Big Snoop D-O-G-G. Nice to meet you, bro.”

Ace managed to get through enough of his nerves to fistbump him.

“Where’s Principle?” Snoop asked, turning back to Noodle.

“He couldn’t make it today, since all three of our schedules didn’t match up perfectly. If you wanna hang with him, he’ll be around in like, a week and a half?”

“Nah, man, I got a ‘Plizzanet Earth’ to film ‘round then.”

“A what?” Ace asked, bewildered.

“It’s like a nature documentary, hosted by me. Lotta folks think it’s funny.”

Ace blinked. “I’ll make sure to check it out!”

Snoop smiled. “Word.”

“We oughta get started soon, yeah?” 2D called from across the room, “You ready, Snoop?”

“Yeah dawg, whenever.”

Ace shuffled along to his preferred corner of the room to stash his case, and pulled his bass out, doing some last minute tuning before moving to the amp to plug his instrument in. He had a few effect pedals for this recording, giving his bass a more warped sound that he really liked. He readied himself for 2D’s count.

“One, two, one two three four.”

The beginning of the song was marked by vocal silence, since this was the part of the song they would record with Jamie. Still, the music was on point, and Ace could relatively just relax for most of the song, with the bassline repetitive and simple.

“Hollywood is alright, Hollywood is free ground. Jealousy is gunfire—it makes you kill the vibe.”

When Ace had first heard the main refrain of the song, a month or so ago, he knew immediately that he’d want to go to Hollywood for a day. How could he not? The sign, the ‘Walk of Fame’, and the hip-and-happening culture called to him. He was living the big band life, and he wanted to go to Hollywood at least once.

“Jealousy and dark times; sinkin’ on the web, there’s more to love than that. Jealousy is vibe down... jealousy is vibe down.”

More silence, playing the beat that Jamie would sing to. Ace scanned the lyrics on the notes in front of him: Hollywood, she’s so seductive—she’s got me looking for that dream. Yeah, Ace could definitely relate to that. He was chasing, no, living his dream right now.

Well, was it his dream, though? He’d just really wanted to be out of Townsville, and out of the life of a criminal. The band was just a nice perk; beyond his two prior goals, he’d really had no major plans for what he wanted to do with his life. His formal education was extremely limited, spending most of his schooling years being a punk truant.

What am I going to do after this? He suddenly thought, and the notion alarmed him. Theoretically, once Murdoc was out of jail, he’d want to come back to the band, and Ace would be left out in the lurch. Suddenly, he felt kinda insecure and uncertain. Maybe his fellow bandmates would prefer him over Murdoc, kick the old jerk out and let Ace stay?

“—twenty five pounds, can you match that bag? Cuz if not, raise up. I got a deal to make, and a couple bad bitches I been achin’ to break—”

It was Snoop’s part of the song already? Ace had really spaced out. He tuned in and watched Snoop as he sang. Stood back against a temporarily-placed green screen, he was even dancing a little bit as he rapped, cameras rolling to film the whole thing.

“—I do that, did that, blow your fuckin’ wig back. Forreal-a, gorilla, who loves going bareback. They wanna eye me down, tie me down, lock me up but I’m a lion in the dog pound. Now how that sound?”

Snoop truly has a way with words. Now that’s a verse that can make me forget my woes, Ace thought, barely keeping back a laugh. Regardless, it was fascinating to see Snoop in the act, and as they played through the final refrain, Ace wondered if it would be unprofessional to ask for a selfie with him.

——

“D’ya think maybe one day we’ll get stars on the Walk of Fame?” Ace asked as the band strolled past it, rubbernecking at the tourists all taking photos of the sunset-lit path. Ace had convinced them to come back again after the recording sesh; it was only a half hour drive, anyway.

“If we don’t have ‘em now, not sure what else we can do to get ‘em,” Russ mused.

“Yeah, I suppose youse are all pretty famous already,” Ace said, trying not to look like a tourist himself as they all lingered near the star-studded path. “I gotta catch up, ya know? I’m a nobody.”

“Um, excuse me,” said a nervous voice from nearby. Ace turned around to see a young woman, surely no older than 20, staring at him raptly, “But if you are who I think you are, that’s not true!”

Ace suddenly felt very wary. “Uh, that depends. Who do y’think I am?”

“You’re Ace, right? From ‘The Powerpuff Girls’ show? You were part of the Gangreen Gang!”

Oh, crud. “Uh, sorry kid, you’ve got the wrong—”

“No, oh my god, it definitely is you!” she suddenly gushed, holding her hands up to her cheeks. “I loved that show growing up! You were one of the best villains!”

“What’s going on?” Ace heard 2D ask from behind him, followed by shushing from Noodle and Russel.

“Where’s the rest of the Gang, are they here?”

“No, I don’t talk to them any—”

She kept rapid firing, “What about the actual Powerpuff Girls? I bet you know what Buttercup is up to these days!”

“I really don’t like the implica—”

“Can I have your autograph??” She scrambled to find a piece of paper while Ace stood, sweating and honestly dying of embarrassment.

“Listen, kid, I don’t really associate with that scene anymore, y’know?” Ace said, trying to salvage the situation, but accepting the now proffered pen and paper, anyway. “Don’t talk to none of em. Not gonna be any ‘reboots’! If ya ask me, I never wanted anyone outside of Townsville to know I existed!”

She stared at Ace, shocked. “What do you mean? It was the best show of its time!”

“Not much of a show, if you ask me. If you asked anyone actually involved.” Ace signed the slip of paper and handed it and the pen back. “Glad you liked it, but I don’t personally want to think about any of that time in my life. Now, me and my buddies gotta jet.”

Ace sulked off, leaving the band and his fan behind him. He came to a stop on a street corner a ways away, tilting his hat down over his eyes and pulling his jacket tighter around him to prevent any further sightings.

About five minutes later, the group caught up with him. “Any of you gonna tell me what all that was?” 2D asked, sounding a touch irate. “Why did she know you?”

Ace sneered, “I was a child actor, and I am continuously haunted by my troubled past.”

2D looked exasperated, but took out his phone. “Siri, what’s ‘The Powerpuff Girls’?”

“Oh for crying out lo—”

“‘The Powerpuff Girls’ is an American superhero television series, centering on Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, three kindergarten-aged girls with superpowers. The girls all live in the fictional city of Townsville with their father and creator, a scientist named Professor Utonium, and are frequently called upon by the city’s mayor to help fight nearby criminals and other enemies using their powers.”

2D stared at his phone, and then squinted at Ace. “Why’s it say ‘Townsville’ is fictional but you say it’s not?”

“Because my entire hometown was broadcasted to the world under the guise of it being a show, but none of us knew about that. That was just real life to us.” Ace laughed sardonically. “I was ‘nearby criminals and other enemies’.”

“Ace got beat up by kindergarteners,” Noodle snickered quietly.

“Hey!” Ace objected. “They had superpowers, and the only unusual thing I’ve got to my name is green skin! So you do the math.”

At this, 2D burst out laughing, practically doubling over from the intensity. “So you are a criminal, but you’re just really bad at it, yeah?”

“I ain’t a criminal no more.”

“Beat up by children,” 2D wheezed.

Ace groaned in frustration. “Anyone want to talk about someone else’s embarrassing life?”

“2D’s dead afraid of whales,” Russel offered.

“Oi!” 2D said, “They’re enormous! Too big!”

Ace smirked. “Anything else?”

“He’s got himself a gaggle of bastards out there from random groupies,” Noodle added.

“No way,” Ace said, shocked, “this jerk’s a dad?” He clapped a palm to his face, trying to stifle his laughter. “What’s the matter, 2D? Don’t like protection?”

At that, Noodle started giggling, and Russel couldn’t keep himself from grinning.

“I will not stand around and let you lot just, uh... cor, what’s the word?”

“Slut-shame?” Noodle supplies slyly, choking back laughter.

“Yeah, won’t let you lot slut-shame me, understand?” 2D said indignantly, but that was the final straw, and the rest of the group became lost to laughter. Ace, blinking back tears, was more than happy to let 2D be the one embarrassed now. Served him right.

Notes:

It's weird writing dialogue for a someone in a fic that's like... a person in real life. How do those wacky rpf writers do it?

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr for updates, @volatilesoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all the future chapters of this story on there!

Chapter 9: Kansas

Summary:

“Oh wow, so we’re basically almost done, then?” As far as Ace knew, they’d recorded most of the songs in 2D’s notebook.

“Nope, 2D’s probably still writing some stuff. We wouldn’t release an album this short.”

With a small sigh of relief, Ace nodded and took another bite of toast. “Glad to know. I like working with you guys.”

--

It's time to record 'Kansas', but there's a bit of trouble in the air.

“Double-booking the studio this weekend, eh?” Ace said, looking over their schedule as he munched a piece of toast. “Don’t we normally only record one song at a time?”

“We’re tryin’ to get a bit ahead of schedule,” Russel said with a shrug. “2D’s got some kind of plans cookin’, so he wants to get a few songs done in advance.”

“Plans? What kinda plans?” Ace asked, bemused, as a crumb of toast fell from the corner of his mouth.

Russel shrugged. “Dunno. 2D’s been acting kinda funky lately. Sure you noticed that, though. Gets a weird look in his eyes, acts cagey.”

“Russ, buddy, he’s always got a weird look in his eyes. Switches between pure black and white at a hair trigger.”

He shook his head. “Nah man, that’s normal for 2D. When you known him as long as I have, you can tell when it’s real weird.”

Ace raised an eyebrow. “And cagey, he’s been like that the whole time I’ve been here. But that’s because he hates me, so...”

Russel sighed. “Yeah, he’s got a problem with you, but that’s not your fault, ’so...’”

“Alright alright, forgeddaboutit,” Ace grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck, “But it’s still a lot to get two songs out in only a few days. We’ve barely even practiced anything lately.”

“Yeah, that’s why we’re taking the whole weekend. It’s gonna be a jam sesh, workin’ full days.”

Ace let out an exhale, and sank back into his seat. “So we’re doing ‘Kansas’, and...?”

“‘Sorcererz’.”

“Oh wow, so we’re basically almost done, then?” As far as Ace knew, they’d recorded most of the songs in 2D’s notebook.

“Nope, 2D’s probably still writing some stuff. We wouldn’t release an album this short.”

With a small sigh of relief, Ace nodded and took another bite of toast. “Glad to know. I like working with you guys.”

“I like workin’ with you too, Ace. But yeah, here,” Russel said, digging into a pocket and producing a handful of slightly crumpled papers, “It’d probably help to give you the lyrics and tabs before we practice.”

“Thanks, pal. I’ll get working on this, pronto,” Ace said, putting them down onto the table and finishing up his toast.

Russel turned to leave, but stopped at the last moment and looked back. “Oh, and Ace, man?”

“Yeah?”

“Try not to bust 2D’s balls about ‘Kansas’ this time?”

At that, Ace felt a twinge of embarrassment. “Y-yeah, I’ll try not to.”

Ace had honestly tried to forget about as many ‘points of contention that 2D had with him’ as possible, but it was hard to not think about the insensitive joke now that Russel brought it up. It certainly didn’t make 2D like him any more.

Ace would have to do something about that.

——

Bluff Alley was a familiar sight, with its shingled roof and garish neon sign. It energized Ace, because he always knew that it meant he was about to get in the zone. It was just where he wanted to be, where he felt like he belonged. Once Russel parked, Ace hopped out, so full of excited momentum that he was actually airborne for a second.

He swung around to the trunk of the car, pulling out his case before gentlemanly handing Noodle her own. Russel kept his drums in the studio, as did 2D with his keyboard. Both Noodle and Ace had customized their own instruments to the point that it wasn’t worth the theft risk to keep them at the studio: another thing they both agreed on.

Ace, Russel, and Noodle made their way to the entrance of the studio, and Ace was halfway to the door when he realized 2D wasn’t following the rest of the group.

2D was sagging back against the door of the vehicle, lighting a cigarette, which he promptly took a drag off of. He had a very weird kind of vibe radiating off of him, shuffling his feet and staring back at the sky. Is he nervous?

Ace walked back toward 2D, and hesitantly broke the latter’s reverie. “Um, hey, 2D.”

2D’s head snapped down, and he narrowed his eyes. “What?”

“I uh... I just wanted to apologize for what I said the first time you played ‘Kansas’ for us. It was insensitive and I know it didn’t help us start off on the right foot. I’d like to try and make this right, if I can?”

2D stared at him for a while, took a pull from his cigarette, and blew the smoke away, thankfully not in Ace’s direction. Finally, he said, “Thanks. ‘Preciate it.”

When he didn’t say anything else, Ace awkwardly added, “Um, so is there anything I can do?”

2D shook his head, taking his cigarette and flicking it to the ground before stepping on it to grind out the flame. “Nah, greenie, mate. Don’t think you got anything I want.” He stepped around Ace and moved to the entrance of Bluff Alley, leaving Ace slack-jawed behind him. “C’mon, let’s go in.”

Greenie?

Feeling a bit frustrated at being completely written off after a moment of sincerity, he took a moment to stick his tongue out at 2D’s back before following him inside. “‘Greenie’, he says,” Ace grumbled.

Ace didn’t swear, but right about now would’ve been a good time for it.

Bee-lining it to his little corner of the recording studio, Ace took his instrument out and did some last minute tuning to get in the right key. He was silently fuming, and as he plucked a few strings, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Noodle was staring down at him, a concerned look on her face. “You okay? I can feel your vibes across the room, with you glaring like that.”

“It’s not a big deal,” Ace mumbled.

Noodle patted him on the shoulder. “Deep breaths, Ace,” she said, before heading back to her guitar and pulling it out of its case. Ace watched her do her own tuning, and felt himself relax just a bit. Even though there wasn’t any guitar in the song, he knew as well as she did that the ritual of preparing your instrument could be therapeutic.

She was truly a gem among musicians. She could play guitar better than anyone he’d met, she was kind, and fashionable, and reliable. Noodle reminded him of what it was like to be younger, but in a better way than he’d been her age. He almost wished he’d had a little sister like her instead of his stupid gang; she would’ve set him straight.

“Everyone ready?” 2D said from the center of the room, breaking Ace out of his musing. He ambled over to his mic in time for him to start the count. “One, two, one two three four.”

Ace started his slow beat, stepping on an effects pedal to give the bass a crunchier sound. He liked this configuration best out of all the other ones he’d tried. It gave the chords a strong ‘wub wub wub wub’ sound that fit the melancholy mood.

“I’m not gonna cry. I’ve got more time to give. I’m not gonna cry; find another dream. Am I incapable of healing? The memory of my fall from grace in your heart.”

Yeah, definitely melancholy. Honestly, 2D sang this song just like a breakup tune, but nobody had said anything about 2D having a girlfriend or anything recently. It definitely wasn’t his business, at any rate. Unless he’s singing about Murdoc.

Ace had to stifle a laugh. Yeah right. If anything 2D would be ecstatic to be away from that guy. Ace was positive 2D would be in an even better mood if he himself weren’t there, reminding him of his abuser. Maybe if he got rid of Ace too, his songs would be a lot happier.

Whatever. It’s not my fault he’s traumatized. Ace could only be so sympathetic if it meant getting walked all over. He tried to get back on the right foot, and it blew up in his face. Maybe he and Ace would just be enemies for the rest of his time in the band, and if that’s how it had to be, Ace would deal with it. He was pretty used to being despised.

Woah, okay, reel it in Ace. That had been a bit harsh, but 2D’s treatment was bringing back flashbacks from his youth, and this bummer song made it worse.

Speaking of which. Ace tried to refocus on the music. “But if I got it right, you’d tell me. And if I was wrong, then I’d... disappear.” Yeah, definitely a mopey song. It was pretty, but Ace couldn’t see himself relistening to it much after recording. Too much baggage attached to it now.

The song ended with a soft echoing of the chorus, and Ace cleared his throat as the mics turned off. “Good work, team. Call this one a wrap?”

2D shook his head, and without looking at Ace, said, “No, we’ll do it a few more times. S’gotta be perfect.”

This time, Ace couldn’t keep from groaning, before quietly yelping as Noodle punched him in the shoulder, none too softly. The message came across clear enough, but a bit too late; 2D finally turned around, crossing his arms with a scowl. “What’s your problem, then? Why d’you always gotta make a big deal about this song?”

Put on the spot, Ace rubbed his arm and mumbled, “I don’t have a problem with the song.” I have a problem with you, he thought.

“Right, then. No interruptions, no moanin’. Let’s just get this one done.”

Ace nodded meekly, and in the awkward silence that followed, the group readied their instruments, and settled down for the next take. All the fight had gone out of him, and now he agreed with 2D: he just wanted this to be over with.

It was hard to imagine that just this morning, he’d been so excited.

——

The car ride back to the hotel was quiet. Ace could call it ‘too quiet’ if he wanted to be dramatic, but he had no energy for theatrics at this point. The recording session for ‘Kansas’ was utterly draining, and he was more than fine staring out the window and not talking to anyone for the duration of the ride.

Noodle was driving for the trip back, which was a bit unusual. Normally Russel drove them around, while 2D sat in the passenger seat, and Noodle sat in the back with him. Russel wasn’t doing much beside him, merely looking down at his phone to preoccupy himself.

Or at least, so Ace thought, until he received a long string of text messages from him.

• Ignore 2D. We’re trying to work on a way to get him to treat you better.

• Hopefully he can get over himself and give you a chance.

• Ooc, did you ever end up talking to him about what you said in the first practice sesh?

Ace couldn’t keep himself from rolling his eyes, but he tapped back:

• Thanks, Russ. And yeah, I’ll work something out.

Yeah right, Ace thought. He sure as heck wouldn’t be extending any more olive branches, now that he’d seen how well that went. But he was too tired to bring it up, and Russel seemed to pick up on his lack of energy, because he didn’t send anything further than a thumbs-up tapback.

When they finally pulled up at the hotel, Ace was the first out of the car, grabbing his case and then sulking his way through the front door and into the lobby without waiting for the rest of them. He grabbed an elevator and punched the ‘shut door’ button to get himself a little space. He leaned against the wall of the elevator as he ascended, and let out a tense breath.

As he finally reached the penthouse, Ace made a beeline for his bedroom. He had plans for tonight; he was going to practice ‘Sorcererz’ until his fingertips went numb, if he had to. He’d get this one right, and then, if he was lucky, 2D would have nothing to criticize him on.

If he was lucky.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

Chapter 10: Sorcererz

Summary:

There was a brief moment of silence, before Noodle asked, “Can I come in?”

With a sigh, Ace acquiesced. “Yeah, sure.”

He heard the door open and shut, followed by soft footsteps to the side of his bed. A moment of hesitance passed before Noodle sat down on the edge of his bed. “...it’s not always going to be bad, Ace.”

--

It's the second recording session of the weekend. Will it go better than the first?

There was a knocking at Ace’s door, and he sighed and stuck his head under the pillow.

“C’mon, rise and shine, Ace! We gotta head to the studio! Iku wa,” came Noodle’s voice, slightly muffled through the layers of pillow and wood between them.

But by now, last night’s conviction to ‘do better’ was gone, and he just felt dejected and sour. “I don’t think I can make it today,” Ace said, “Go on without me.”

“Are you feeling sick?” Noodle said, tone suddenly concerned.

“Yeah, something like that.”

There was a brief moment of silence, before Noodle asked, “Can I come in?”

With a sigh, Ace acquiesced. “Yeah, sure.”

He heard the door open and shut, followed by soft footsteps to the side of his bed. A moment of hesitance passed before Noodle sat down on the edge. “...it’s not always going to be bad, Ace.”

“I know that. I’ve had fun recording with you guys. But I’m startin’ to think 2D and I have real creative differences.”

“Or at least personality differences.” Noodle let out a huff of breath. “2D is working through some stuff—“

“—so cut him some slack?”

“No, that’d be stupid. I was saying, 2D is working through some stuff and is honestly being out of line. I’ve even started looking into options for getting him a therapist, because yeah, he’s had a rough time, but that doesn’t give him an excuse to harass you. So in the meantime, don’t let him get to you. Me and Russ are here for you, Ace.”

Despite his malaise, Ace couldn’t help but smile. With a groan, he lifted his head from under his pillow and sat up. “You should be a motivational speaker, doll.”

Noodle rolled her eyes. “Don’t you ‘doll’ me. And yes, I am good. Now go get dressed and meet us in ten, yeah?”

Ace nodded, rubbing his eyes. “I’ll do my best.”

Once Noodle left the room, Ace crawled out of bed and slipped on his shades. Stepping into a pair of bunny slippers, he trudged his way to the bathroom.

He stopped his toilet quest to pause at the mirror, looking himself over. Green.

It’d been a long time since Ace had been self conscious about his skin. Growing up in a lab with the gang, he didn’t know how uncommon his complexion was. It was only after they busted out that they realized how much the world was against people like them. When you look different, you end up living in a dump with your only career options being crime. And he didn’t know any better back then about how much better his life could be, how much more worth there could be in simply existing. His stint with the band was the first time he'd ever even imagined something like a bright future.

But with 2D’s comments and constant reminders about his skin, Ace couldn’t help but relive some of his teenage years. You can only surround yourself with garbage for so long before you start feeling like garbage. On honest reflection, Ace wondered if anyone in the gang had actually known how much it all bothered him.

He wondered if anyone in the gang had felt the same as him.

Ace slapped his cheeks briskly, trying to snap himself out of his funk. He was running out of time, and it would take some work to get his hair looking perfect, receding hairline aside.

——

After running ‘Kansas’ for about 3 hours straight the previous day, all Ace could hope for was a quick recording session. They’d practiced ‘Sorcererz’ a few times, but this was their first recording attempt, and Ace was grateful for a change of pace. It was a kind of nonsensical, bright piece, and was among the more interesting ones on the album, in his opinion.

Ace laid out his effect pedals once more, and fiddled with a few settings on his amp, and he strummed a few chords to get the unique, deep bass-toned sound he preferred for this song. A grin curled across his lips as he played, but he quickly silenced the strings as 2D called for their attention.

“Alright, let’s do this, yeah?” He called out the countdown, and the song started with a kicking drumbeat from Russel and a few light notes from 2D’s synths. He and Noodle jumped in at the same time, his low tones vibing well with her more funky techno-sounding guitar.

“Hey, what is this dronin’, I hear it, there; over on me,” 2D sang in an airy falsetto, as the song approached its first drop into the chorus. “Everybody cool down, everybody see yourself; everybody on time, on time. Everybody hold on, everybody hold on to your inner visions!”

Yeah, Ace thought, it’d be nice if everybody cooled down, and he couldn’t help but smirk. There had been relative calm after yesterday’s rehearsal, and everyone had sort of gone their own ways. Ace had preoccupied himself by practicing for today’s rehearsal, in a bizarre sort of hope that if he played well enough, maybe 2D would just leave him alone. He’d spent hours trying to get the pacing right, and ‘on time’, as it were.

It seemed, by and large, that his practicing was worth it. His fingers danced on the fretboard, and he didn’t mess up any of the tougher notes. He rocked back and forth with the music, only idly listening to the lyrics as he immersed himself in the sound.

“Inner visions, inner visions, inner visions, everybody, inner visions...” 2D finished off, and everyone took a moment as the mics were turned off. Ace held his breath as 2D turned to face them all. “Well, I’d say that’s a good one, yeah? Maybe one more for good luck, use the better of two?”

Ace was vastly surprised that he seemed to be in such a good mood. “Sure thing,” he said, bemused.

“Yeah, I’m down for it,” Russel said, and Noodle gave a thumbs up.

“All right,” 2D said, and he actually smiled. “One, two, one two three four.”

2D’s good mood was infectious, and as he sang the opening of the song, Ace found himself grooving harder than before. Why can’t it always be like this? He thought, but immediately tried to get back in the mood. No bummers. Just enjoy it.

“Everybody mindin’, everybody mindin’ their own inner visions.”

Yeah, Ace could do that. Keep in the good mood, and mind his own inner visions.

“Everybody lie down, everybody cool down, everybody on time, on time. Everybody hold on, everybody hold on to your inner visions!"

Idly, Ace found himself wondering what the inspiration for this song was. It was a lot lighter than most of the other songs on the album. It was a refreshing change of pace, that was for certain.

As the song wrapped up, Ace was almost sad that it was over. His fingertips lingered on the strings as the last chords faded out, and he looked up to 2D to gauge his mood.

“Even better!” He said, and Ace gave a sigh of relief, while Noodle whooped in the background. “Fastest one we’ve done yet, yeah?”

“I’d say so!” Ace said, and 2D turned to him with an appraising look on his face, but didn’t comment further.

“Alright, pack it up, lads. We can do last minute stuff later, I’d say.”

Ace unplugged his bass from the amp, and started putting it back into the case. He was clasping it shut when he heard someone walk up behind him, and he turned around to see 2D looming over him.

“Oh, heya boss!” Ace said, trying to stave off any feelings of foreboding and carry on his former mood. “What can I do ya for?”

2D was quiet, and shuffled his feet for a moment, before giving that appraising look again. “You play bass really good, y’know?”

It took a lot of effort to keep his jaw from dropping open, but Ace settled for a positively beaming look. “Aw, thanks, 2D!”

“Yeah,” 2D said, giving a tentative smile. “Where’d you learn to play?”

And at that, Ace felt his heart drop. He couldn’t tell him that. Not if he wanted to keep this good mood going.

“Oh, y’know, it’s a long story. Stretches back to days I’m not super proud of. Was a bit of a coping mechanism.”

“Nah, mate, I’m really curious. You’re one of the best bassists I’ve ever heard,” 2D said, with an earnest tone Ace felt really bad about ruining.

“Well... that’s probably because I learned from one of the best bassists you ever heard. When I was an inmate at Grimway Holding Center—minor theft, the kinda thing you do when you’re starvin’ and have to survive—I, uh... I met Murdoc. Took me under his wing, taught me how to play bass and survive in a big prison. That’s how I met him.”

With every word Ace spoke, 2D’s face fell further and further. His expression darkened, and he gritted out, “Oh, s’that so? Always comes back around to him, don’t it.”

“Come on, 2D, you asked!”

“Try to give you the benefit of the doubt, and you gotta ruin everything,” he grumbled, and Ace felt a dam of emotion break.

“Maybe if you weren’t such a jerk the other day, I wouldn’t have a reason to!” It was petty, but 2D's insults were the worst affront by far, so Ace didn’t feel bad about bringing it back up.

“What? What happened?” Noodle suddenly piped up, having clearly just started eavesdropping.

“Nothing,” 2D said firmly, but Ace was tired of pretending there wasn’t a problem.

“I tried to apologize to him yesterday and start things right, and he told me he didn’t care about me making an effort, and then he called me ‘greenie’.” Ace said, pronouncing the word with disgust.

“What the hell, 2D?” Noodle said, burgeoning anger in her voice.

“I didn’t say I didn’t care!” 2D objected, “I thanked him for apologizing, didn’t I, and told him he didn’t need to do anything to ‘start things right’.”

Ace snarled. “You said I ‘had nothing you could want’. Don’t try to make it sound softer than you actually were!”

“Guys,” Russel interjected, “Can we not do this right now? We were getting along so well just—”

“No, I think this has been coming to a head long enough,” Ace bit out, “He won’t give me a chance just because I busted his chops while having the nerve to vaguely resemble his freakin’... ex-boyfriend or whatever!”

“OI,” 2D yelled, “You take that back!”

“Give me one good reason, 2D. But you’ve never been able to give me one this whole darn time, so I’m not gonna hold my breath.”

“Guys—”

“It’s not my fault you’re an insufferable prick, you wanker!”

“2D, that’s—”

“You know what? I’m done with this,” Ace said, throwing up his hands, “until you can act like a decent human being, find yourself another darn bassist. I’m sure you’ll be happy to get rid of me.”

And with that, Ace grabbed his instrument and headed to the door, ignoring Noodle and Russel as they called out to him. I’ve had enough of this. He walked right past the car, no destination in mind—he just had to get out of there.

He walked until he was out of breath, and his arms hurt from carrying his bass so far, and the intrusive thoughts inside his head made focusing too hard. He just plunked himself down on the sidewalk, putting his face in his hands. Worthless. Good-for-nothing. This is why everybody hates you. Why bother going back if everyone would be better off without you?

He tried to push the negative voice aside, and focused on his breathing. In, out. It had been a long time since he’d had a panic attack, but he remembered how to deal with them. At least the prison rehabilitators taught me something useful.

But he agreed with his negative thoughts on one thing: he couldn’t go back. Not at a time when they’d see him, anyway. Maybe in the dead of night, he’d creep in, take all his stuff that he cared about, and just vanish. Find some place new to start over. Ace was good at that.

Noodle and Russel had been nice, but they couldn’t balance out how much of an awful, spiteful person 2D was. He wasn’t going to stick around, when he made Ace feel so awful that he was actually getting anxiety again. That was for teenage-Ace, not the grown man he was now.

Ace pulled his face out of his hands, and stared off into space, only to notice that somehow, it had already gotten dark. How long have I been sitting here? The loss of time was somehow even more disturbing than anything else. He pulled his phone out his pocket to check the hour—8 PM—only to see a bunch of messages from Noodle and Russel. He put his phone back in his pocket without reading them, and shakily rose to his feet. He didn’t really know where he was, but he just called an Uber, and punched out the number of a nearby park.

When he finally arrived, he sat on a bench in a secluded spot, out of sight of the road, and put some earbuds in. For hours, he just sat there, trying to clear his mind, even as the stars filled the sky, and the night air got cold. By the time midnight rolled around, he was chilled to the bone, and he stiffly unfolded himself from being hunched on the bench, and began to walk toward the hotel, only a few blocks away.

The lobby lights were low, but the deskman was still on duty, and he nodded at Ace as he made his way to the elevator. When he reached the penthouse floor, he crept to the front door and inserted his keycard as quietly as possible, and didn’t notice until he’d already slightly opened it that the living room lights were still on.

There on the sofa sat Noodle and Russel, with 2D sitting morosely in between them. They all stopped looking at their phones to stare up at him, and before Ace could back out and leave, 2D spoke. “Guess, uh... guess we should talk, huh?”

“Do you have something worthwhile to say?” Ace spat at him.

2D’s face darkened, but Noodle elbowed him, and he went back to looking somewhat mollified. “I... I’m sorry. It ain’t fair of me to treat you like this, and they want me to tell you that I’m... gonna be seein’ a therapist now to... work on stuff.”

“Well that’s a frickin’ relief,” Ace said sarcastically, though internally he was slightly surprised. “Glad you’ll get the help you need, 2D. I’m just gonna grab my stuff and leave, if ya don’t mind.”

“Hey!” 2D said, sounding indignant. “I apologized and everything! You can’t leave!”

“Oh, now youse want me to stay. Well, 2D, thanks for apologizing, really appreciate it, but you ‘got nothing I want’.”

Ace stalked off in the direction of his room, but—

“Ace, please.” It was Noodle, this time, and her tone of voice made something inside of Ace’s heart ache. “It’ll be different. I promise. We want you here, we really do. You’re a good guy, a talented bass player, and more importantly, an even better friend.”

He sighed wearily, but didn’t turn around. He lifted his shades to rub at his eyes. “I just... I can’t be in a situation like this. I had everything sorted out, and now... I just feel like a depressed kid again. I’m done feeling like that.”

“It’s gonna be different, we promise. We need you here, Ace,” Russel said softly, “and more important, we want you here. You’ll never have to feel like that again, brother.”

“I...” Ace’s voice broke. He took a moment to steel himself, and then turned to face the three of them, looking 2D in the eyes. “Say it again. Tell me you’re sorry, and sound like you mean it. Make me believe you’re willing to change.”

This time, 2D didn’t look angry, or stubborn. He just looked... lost. After a moment, he finally said, “I really am sorry,” and somehow, his tone of voice actually just sounded... sad.

Ace took a deep breath, and let himself slump, tension going out of his shoulders. “Good. I’m gonna sleep on this. G’night.” And he trudged over to his room, just about managing not to slam his door as he went inside.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

Chapter 11: Idaho Pt. 1 - Prelude

Summary:

“Long trip,” Ace mused. “But I guess it’ll be a good chance to catch up on some sleep, eh?” He looked around at his assembled bandmates. “Who’s driving, anyhow?”

“We have a driver,” Noodle said, “so we can just chill in the back. Maybe do some on-the-road jamming.”

Ace couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh yeah? Always wondered what a bass would sound like going over a pothole.”

--

The band hits the road!

Time has an interesting way of being fast and slow all at once. After that night in the living room, two weeks passed quietly with little incident. 2D’s promise of getting help ended with him hiring a therapist a few days after the argument, but in between meetings, 2D seemed to be avoiding Ace, which was business as usual. When they did end up in the same room, they quietly coexisted.

There was no more music to record, but Noodle and Russ seemed to think that this wasn’t the end of the album, which meant it was down to waiting for 2D to write a few new songs. But by the end of those two weeks, there had been no breakthroughs, and Ace was frankly starting to get a little bored.

At least, until 2D burst into the living room at breakfast one day, a manic look in his eyes. “What do you lot think about a roadtrip?”

Noodle glanced up from her food, and gave 2D an appraising look. “What’s on your mind?”

“Not sure, but I’m thinking we go cross country to Miami.”

“Why not just take a plane?” Ace asked, not thrilled at the idea of being stuck in a bus that whole distance.

“Defeats the point of a roadtrip, innit?” 2D said breezily, and helped himself to a spare slice of toast.

Russel put down his fork, an uneaten piece of egg speared on its end, and said, “I’m down for it. Los Angeles is gettin’ a little lame.”

“Amen to that,” Ace conceded, and ate his last bite of bacon before pushing his plate away. “Not that this ritzy living is bad or anything, but I’m not usually in one place for so long. Got that traveler’s bug.”

“Or active warrants,” Noodle teased. 2D snickered through his bread before covering his mouth with a hand, as though he’d only just realized he was supposed to be nice now.

“Yeah yeah, whatever. So do you guys have like, your own bus here in the States?”

Russel nodded. “Yeah, it’s parked in a garage about 5 miles from here. We’ll take the car there and then pile in the bus for the long haul.”

“Alright, lemme ask another question: how long does it even take to drive from California to Florida?”

“I reckon it’s about 40 hours,” 2D provided, and then added, “That’s what Google says, anyway.”

“Long trip,” Ace mused. “But I guess it’ll be a good chance to catch up on some sleep, eh?” He looked around at his assembled bandmates. “Who’s driving, anyhow?”

“We have a driver,” Noodle said, “so we can just chill in the back. Maybe do some on-the-road jamming.”

Ace couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh yeah? Always wondered what a bass would sound like going over a pothole.” He took a sip of coffee and shrugged. “Yeah, I’m in. When are we heading out?”

“An hour?” 2D had that manic look in his eye again.

“Not a lot of time to pack!” Noodle said, quickly getting up from the table.

“Just take what’s important! We’re not gonna be filming any videos, so don’t take too much showy stuff.”

Ace scoffed. “Yeah right I’m ditching any of my cool clothes. But yeah, I’ll try to be ready.”

“Same,” Russel nodded.

“Alright, one hour! This’ll be great, it will.”

——

The Gorillaz tour bus was a lot cozier than Ace expected, but also more dingy than he’d imagined. He’d assumed it would be something like one of those big buses kids rode on field trips, with the terrible bathrooms in the back.

But the bus had a relatively open floor plan, with a few booth seats by curtained windows that curved from the back to the sides. There were a few more cushioned benches further in, and a small TV hung from the ceiling.

But good god, did the thing reek. The stench of cigarettes past permeated the air, and there were burnt out buds scattered all over the floor. A few of the walls and patches of carpet had mysterious stains, and here and there lay discarded bottles of alcohol.

“Eh, not to be rude, but when was the last time you cleaned this thing?” Ace said, trying to breathe only through his mouth.

Russel shrugged. “Been a while since we used this thing. Had to transport it to the States at some point, and then it’s probably been sitting in a garage, man.”

Ace tactfully didn’t comment any further, but carefully scouted out a bench that had as few stains and scuffs as possible, before sitting and kicking his feet up. “We gonna be making stops at hotels along the way, or sleeping in here?”

“Probably in here,” Noodle said, sitting sideways on a booth as she took out her phone. “I don’t think we’ll be making too many stops along the way, ‘cept for food.”

Suddenly Ace wished he’d brought more pillows. But he’d slummed it out in worse places than a slightly stinky bus, so he figured he could handle it. It was what, a little under two days, give or take traffic?

2D was up front, discussing something with the driver. Russel and Noodle were staking claims to their own seats, and leaving their instruments propped against one corner. Guess they were serious about jamming in here at some point.

The door to the main cabin opened, and 2D hunched his way inside, almost too tall for the entrance. He moved to the window seat, sprawled out, and dug his song notebook out of one of his bags. Shortly thereafter, the driver turned on the gas, and the bus began to lurch its way out of the parking garage.

——

The first day of traveling passed somewhat uneventfully. Everyone spent a good chunk of time on their phones, or staring out the windows at the California landscape while listening to music.

As for Ace, he’d actually taken his bass out, and was idly thumbing the strings, trying to create his own little riff. The lack of musical direction left him wondering what would happen if this really was the end of the album. Would Murdoc’s sentence last beyond this? Would Ace even be around for the next album? Point being, he wondered if maybe he could launch his own musical career.

It’d be hard as a solo bass player, but maybe his stint with Gorillaz would make him desirable for other bands? Either that or make a YouTube channel, but Ace wouldn’t touch much internet stuff with a ten foot pole. That was just slightly after his time.

Ace sighed. I don’t want to do that though. I want to stay with these guys. Or at least Noodle and Russ. What was Murdoc even in jail for? He hadn’t mentioned in his phone call. Murdoc was kinda unsavory in a lot of ways, but would he be the type for hard crime?

He did hit 2D with a car. Twice. Ace shuddered. Maybe he didn’t know Murdoc as much as he thought he did.

Ace strummed one last time before standing to put his bass back in his case. It was weird, standing up in a moving vehicle; Ace had never been in something quite like a tour bus before. The bus hit a pothole while he was moving, and he almost pitched over, but managed to remain upright. Hopefully, no one saw that.

As Ace wobbled back to his seat, he noted that the smells were starting to become less noticeable the longer he lounged around the bus, and the bench cushions were surprisingly soft. He was sorely tempted to take a late day nap, and he gave into that urge. He lay back on those cushions, dipping the hood of his sweatshirt over his eyes, and soon drifted off.

Ace woke up a good three hours later, but it took him another hour after that to realize they were going in the wrong direction.

He’d been looking for nearby restaurants on his phone, since they’d been traveling most of the day and he was hungry, and to his surprise, it said that they were in Idaho.

“Ey, uh, 2D?”

“Hm?” He said absently, just starting out at the landscape as they drove by, and not paying much attention to Ace.

“Last I checked, boss, Idaho isn’t on the way to Miami.”

“Idaho?” Noodle said, sitting up from where she’d been half-dozing. “Why are we in Idaho?”

2D sat there and fidgeted for a moment, but eventually sighed. “Last minute detour. I’ve got a friend in Idaho I been meaning to visit.”

Ace sat up, pinching the bridge of his nose and shaking his head. “Then why not just say we’re going to Idaho? Did you even want to go to Miami?”

“Of course!” 2D said indignantly. “I’m not lying! I just…” He sighed and turned his head to stare out the window. “I’ve got an idea coming on, and I think this is the ticket.”

“A song idea?” Russel piped up, and Ace jumped a bit, having not noticed that he was awake.

“Maybe,” 2D said hesitantly. “Bein’ on the road is good for my brain, innit? Just figured I’d take a little extra time to think.”

“Alright, alright,” Ace said, brushing his hands through his hair irritatedly. “Just keep us posted, ‘kay chief?”

2D made a slight tilting gesture with his head, and Ace got the impression that he was rolling his eyes, although not in a way that any normal person would. “Yeah alright, bruv.”

Ace sighed and laid back down on his bench. “Can we at least get dinner sometime soon? I’m starvin’ over here!”

“Same here,” Russel added, and Noodle nodded vigorously.

Ace tapped his phone awake and scrolled the list of restaurants, before picking one at random. “There’s a fast food joint just a few blocks from here, can ya get the driver to turn?”

2D hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll do it.” He stood up from his window seat to unsteadily make his way up front to knock on the partition between them and the driver.

——

Ace was chowing down on the greasiest burger he’d ever had the pleasure of consuming, when his phone went off. He wiped his mouth on one of his sleeves—which earned him a grossed out look from Noodle—and pulled his phone from his pocket. It was an unknown number, but Ace knew by this point that he ought to pick up a call no matter what. He was pretty sure there were still one or two loan sharks he owed.

“‘Scuse me, guys,” Ace said, and slid out from the booth in the restaurant, hurrying outside. As soon as he’d cleared the door, he raised the phone and answered the call. “It’s Ace, who is this?”

“Ace, my right hand man! It’s Murdoc Niccals.”

Ace paled, and he stepped into a nearby alley for some privacy. He honestly didn’t know whether to be nervous or angry that Murdoc was calling again. “Whaddya want? Ya gonna make my life more complicated?” he said, tone hushed.

“Now, don’t give me an attitude, old pal. Not enjoying your comfortable life of fame and glory, while I rot in jail, eh?”

Ace rolled his eyes. “It’d be more comfortable if 2D freakin’ trusted me! He thinks I look too much like you and treats me like garbage, all because he’s afraid of you. What did you do to the poor guy, Murdoc?” Ace glanced up the alleyway, suddenly irrationally worried about someone from the band coming to look for him.

Murdoc chuckled. “Ah, poor ol’ 2D. Never you mind him acting weird, he just misses me. What are you lot up to these days, anyway? Gotta live vicariously through you, Ace.”

Sighing, Ace said, “We’re roadtripping cross country, 2D’s looking for new song inspiration. But god knows we’ll probably be already in Florida by the time he comes up with something, the ditzy guy.”

“Mmm, Florida, eh? Nice weather there this time of year. I love the coast near Orlando, plenty of eye candy on the shore, haha.”

Ace grimaced. “You’re a dirty old man, ya know that? But nah, we’re headed for Miami. Seems like 2D wants to party with beach eye candy too.”

“Miami, got it.” He was silent for a moment before adding, “Well, you party it up for me! Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to eventually join you all for a proper extravaganza when I get out.” Murdoc actually sounded wistful, and Ace couldn’t help but remember how awful it was to be in jail... he could almost sympathize with the guy.

“Murdoc, what are you even in for?”

“Hell if I know! All I’ve got is that I’ve been framed. Got some leads on a bloke called ‘El Mierda’.”

“Mhm,” Ace said, skeptical of whether Murdoc was pulling his leg, with a name like that. “Well, if you’re innocent, I’m sure things will go in your favor, eh? You sit tight.”

“No promises,” Ace said, and he could just imagine Murdoc grinning his crooked grin at him. “I’ve got proper plans brewing, and I’m going to track down whatever knob framed me and pound some sense into him. Anyhow, my call time is up. Say hi to 2D and the band for me, will ya?”

“Sure, sure,” Ace lied. “See ya, I s’pose.”

“Ta-ta, Ace. Enjoy this while you can.”

Ace hung up, overtaken with how ominous those last words were. For a moment, he was glad that Murdoc was on a different continent than him. The more time he spent with 2D, the more he resented Murdoc for making things hard for both of them.

But framed? Ace mused, scratching his head. It’s just like Murdoc to come up with some conspiracy theory. Bet he got arrested for jaywalking, and it’s taking so long because they’re rattling off all the petty minor crimes the guy committed since the last time he’d been in jail.

Maybe they found out about Murdoc being an asshole to 2D, and that’s why he’s in the big house, Ace thought with a chuckle.

“Ace?”

He just about jumped out of his shoes when Noodle peeked her head around the corner. “What are you doing in this stinky alley? Who was that?”

“Just an old friend,” Ace half-bluffed. “Don’t hear from him very often, but when I do, it’s worthwhile to pick up. I’m heading back now. Is my food cold?”

Noodle laughed. “I don’t know about that, but I’ve stolen about half your fries at this point. You’d better come if you want any left!”

Ace scrambled toward her. “Okay okay, you drive a hard bargain!” He headed back inside with Noodle, and as the smell of delicious, greasy food hit his nose, he forgot all about Murdoc’s call. The old ‘friend’ could rot, indeed; what was important was Ace sharing a meal with his real friends.

But he still couldn’t get that imagined sly grin out of his head.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

Tour bus description was based off of this art: x

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and a Happy New Year to all!

Chapter 12: Idaho Pt. 2 - Lake Zurich Interlude

Summary:

Ace gave 2D an appraising look. “So you do have a song idea brewing, dontcha?”

He nodded. “Like I said, bein’ on the road is good for my ‘creative process’.”

“Clearly,” Ace said. “How much stuff do you have in that notebook that we haven’t seen?”

2D flushed at that, and clutched his songbook a little closer to him. “Not much... only little ideas."

--

The band reaches their destination, and splits the group for the day.

“So,” Ace asked groggily, “where exactly in Idaho are we going?” He’d struggled to wake up, stiff from being awkwardly cramped on his bench; the band had slept the night away with the bus parked in an empty lot. Now, as the midday sun shone through the slats of the blinds on one of the windows, Ace realized they’d already hit the road. “And when are we getting breakfast?”

“It’s noon already, Ace,” Noodle chastised him, but handed him a paper-wrapped egg sandwich anyway.

Ace bit eagerly into the food, last night’s greasy, decadent meal already a distant memory. As he chewed, he realized no one had answered his question. “Ey, 2D.”

“Wha?” 2D said absently, staring out the window again and scribbling in his songbook.

“Where. In Idaho. Are we going?” Ace enunciated.

2D blinked and looked at Ace blankly for a moment before his brow creased in annoyance. “It’s a winter lodge in the Soldier Mountains.”

“No way,” Russel said. “The one Willis used to run?”

“Yeah, same one,” 2D confirmed. “We became good mates after ‘Stylo’, gave me an outstanding offer to visit the lodge. He don’t own it anymore, but I called him up a day or two ago and he said he’d meet me there if I was serious about going. Get us good passes and stuff, even clear the place out.”

“Who’s Willis?” Ace asked, feeling like he was missing something.

“Bruce Willis,” Noodle said, as she tapped out messages on her phone. “I never got to meet him, but 2D said he was a decent guy when he’s not shooting you from a moving vehicle.”

“You guys know the Bruce Willis? How many connections do you guys have?”

Russel laughed. “You end up with a big list once you’ve been makin’ music for almost 20 years.”

“Oh yeah, forget you guys have been recording for so long. 20 years ago, I was just a little nobody punk.”

Noodle laughed. “And look at you now. Truly rags to riches.”

Russel added, “Besides, when we started, we were just ‘nobody punks’ too. It’s not like we were a designer pop band, you know?”

“Fair,” Ace conceded, and he adjusted his position so that he could pop his sore back. “How long ‘til we get to the lodge?”

“We’ll be there tomorrow morning, I reckon,” 2D said, “Traffic’s picked up a bit and we’ll still need to make stops for food.”

“Great,” Ace said, leaning back and taking another careless bite of his egg sandwich, getting some flecks of egg on his shirt for his troubles. “Guess I’ll try and stay awake for a little longer. We gonna have those bus jam sessions at some point?”

“Nah, not right now. I’m gettin’ a room set up in the lodge for us, if we end up needing it.”

Ace gave 2D an appraising look. “So you do have a song idea brewing, dontcha?”

He nodded. “Like I said, bein’ on the road is good for my ‘creative process’.”

“Clearly,” Ace said. “How much stuff do you have in that notebook that we haven’t seen?”

2D flushed at that, and clutched his songbook a little closer to him. “Not much... only little ideas, yeah?”

“Yeah. Not too surprising for you,” Ace mumbled.

“Oi, shut it,” 2D said indignantly.

Ace was actually kind of embarrassed that 2D had heard him… but he couldn’t keep himself from adding more fuel to the fire. “Oh, of course you heard me. Blind people have super-hearing, right?”

“I’m not blind!”

“Okay, boys, chill out,” Noodle said, scowling. “2D, go do breathing exercises or something, and Ace, shut up.”

Both Ace and 2D turned away from each other, grumbling, and the next few hours of driving passed in relative silence.

——

After a quiet meal and fitful night of sleep, the elevation finally started increasing. Ace hadn’t noticed it until his ears suddenly popped from the altitude, and he looked at the window to see several gorgeous peaks. This time of year, there wasn’t any snow on the mountain, but that didn’t matter too much, since they weren’t there for skiing.

Ace noticed he wasn’t the only one captivated by the majesty of the mountains; both Noodle and 2D were pressed against the window, trying to soak in the view of the wilderness. “Wow, look at that,” Noodle sighed. “I bet there’s some great hiking here.”

“I’ll pass,” Ace said, stifling a laugh, “I’m still not recovered from hiking to the Hollywood sign.”

“More for us then, innit?” 2D said, but there was no malice in his tone. His eyes were glued out the window while he scrawled in his notebook. Again, Ace wondered what the finished song would sound like. What was there possibly to write about Idaho, of all places?

The bus rumbled into an empty parking lot and parked near the lodge. Ace was surprised that nobody was here for hiking at least, before remembering that Willis had promised to clear the place out for them. Good on his word.

The band hopped out, all groaning and stretching from sitting for so long, before hobbling their way to the reception area in front. A bored-looking ticket taker sat up when they walked over, and they didn’t even have to show any ID before she handed each of them a pass and waved them through.

Sitting on a seat in the lobby, watching a wall-mounted TV, was none other than Bruce Willis himself. Ace’s first thought was, He looks a lot older than I expected.

When he heard the doors swing open, he pressed a button on a remote to turn the screen off, then turned to the band and gave a relaxed nod in their direction. “Hey, guys.”

“Bruce, mate,” 2D said, stepping forward. Willis stood to meet him, and the two clasped hands. “How you doing these days, eh? Haven’t seen you on the telly lately.”

“Yeah, taking some me-time. Anyway, welcome to Soldier Mountain. It’s more impressive in the winter, and it was even more impressive when I owned it,” he said, grinning slyly.

“Yeah, sorry ‘bout that. Never got ‘round to visiting it in time,” 2D replied. “Hey, you want to do some hiking with me? You can show me the best trails.”

Willis laughed. “Never took you for a hiking kind of guy.”

“Just taking some inspiration from nature,” 2D said blithely.

He nodded. “Sure thing. You all ready? Do you want lunch from the lodge’s restaurant or anything?”

“Oh, uh,” 2D said, “I was hoping for just you and me.”

Ace found that a little bizarre, but Noodle just nodded and laced her arms between Ace and Russel’s and said, “More food for us!” And dragged her two band mates away.

“Ey!” Ace protested, “What was that all about?”

“Listen, if 2D wants some space and outdoors, I’m all for it! Besides, I’m hungry. Oh, look—aw.”

‘Restaurant’ was an overstatement. They had been hoping for something food court-sized, but the place looked more like a small cafe.

“These passes better get us free food,” Ace grumbled. As much as it would’ve been nice to chat with Willis some more, Ace was hungry too.

The three of them all lined up in front of the counter, and the cashier handed them each a very short laminated menu. Ace got chicken tenders, Russel ordered a burger, and Noodle got a salad and side of fries.

Food acquired, they sat at one of the tables and dug in. Ace looked out the window as he ate, taking in the greenery of the mountain. This is the kind of green I like, he thought dryly.

“So,” he started, and went to wipe his mouth on a sleeve—before realizing he was wearing a nice shirt this time and instead using a napkin—and continued, “We going to do any hiking, or are we just gonna tool around for a while? I don’t got too much of a stake in it either way.”

Noodle shared a look with Russel, before turning back to Ace. “Actually, Russel and I have been working on our own song idea for the album. It’s instrumental, so we don’t need 2D to record it. You in?”

Ace blinked, and then grinned. “Of course! It’ll be nice to record some tunes, just the three of us.”

“Hell yeah!” Noodle polished off the last of her fries and got to her feet. She’s a quick eater, even compared to me!

“Hang on, hang on,” Ace said, shoving the last two tenders into his mouth before following, and trying not to choke as he trailed after her.

“Your mom ever told you not to chew gum and walk? This is like that but worse,” Russel teased.

Ace actually did choke this time, and he did his best not to spew chicken everywhere. He stopped walking for a moment and it gave Russel time to give him a thwack in the back. It helped, but Ace scowled through his mouthful, before swallowing and muttering, “What part of ‘vagrant criminal teenager’ gave you the impression I had a mom?”

“Fair, fair,” Russel said, hands raised placatingly.

The two followed Noodle to the van, but they stopped as they saw her talking agitatedly to a couple of employees, who were taking... their instruments. Then they ran to meet her.

“—and 2D told us to take ‘em to a room inside the lodge, we swear.”

“Trouble?” Russ asked.

Noodle sighed. “I guess not. Let’s just follow them into the lodge and make sure they put our stuff somewhere safe. If not...” Noodle pounded her palm with her fist, making one of the movers gulp nervously.

They followed them inside, and fortunately, it looked like they were legit, since a few employees nodded at them as they went by. Finally they made it to a room that might have once been a ski shop, but was now cleared and open for the band to use.

“Not sure what the acoustics will be like,” Russel said, and Ace couldn’t tell if he was making a joke or not. But he directed the movers to set the drums out, helping them move the heavier pieces.

Ace grabbed his bass, checking for any fingerprint smudges on the varnish. As he, did Noodle told him about his tabs for the song; it seemed pretty simple, and would definitely make for a chill song. Once he was satisfied with his bass’s state, he connected it to an amp and strummed experimentally.

“One, two, one two three four!” Noodle counted, and it was refreshing yet weird to hear her be the one to say it.

The track started slowly; Noodle said that there would be some stock audio dubbed over various parts, and then later she would get 2D to do a few synth notes to wrap things up. Ace just counted himself in until Noodle finally nodded at him, and he thumbed the easy bassline in the background of the guitar and drum-work.

It was a very simple song, but it waved all over the place, with a chill funky vibe. Ace was really impressed with them coming up with it all by themselves; still, to be fair, Noodle and Russel were also seasoned songwriters in their own rights, having an album or two under their metaphorical belts.

Ace had never written his own music before. It’s hard to make a song that’s just a bass, Ace mused, since it’s not normally a dominant instrument. Not to mention that unlike the members of Gorillaz, he’d never been part of a band that had different specialized musicians to fill the gaps.

They ended up only needing to attempt recording the song twice, since close to the end of the first take, Ace played a chord that was out of key, having forgotten to tune his instrument after it’d been sitting unplayed for a while. But neither Noodle or Russel yelled at him over it, or made him feel stupid, and this was what Ace wished it could always be like.

His thoughts drifted back to the call from Murdoc. Never you mind him, he just misses me. That seemed like it was as far from the truth as possible, since 2D acted traumatized rather than sentimental. Murdoc hadn’t answered his question about what he’d done to 2D, because even though two car crashes were plenty, Ace got the feeling there was more to it than that.

“Alright, that’s good for now,” Noodle said, and the three of them shared high fives before putting their instruments away. “The guys who moved out stuff gave me the key to this room, so we can just leave our instruments here.” Ace was hesitant to leave his bass unguarded, but he decided it wasn’t worth fussing over.

“So what now?” Ace asked; the sun was already sinking lower in the sky, and they hadn’t heard back from 2D yet.

Noodle shrugged. “Tool around like you said and wait for 2D to show, I guess. There’s gotta be some things to do at this resort.”

Ace was fine with taking time away from 2D. Without him here, maybe he’d finally have a good day for once.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

Happy New Years day!

Chapter 13: Idaho Pt. 3 - Finale

Summary:

“So when should we send out the search party for those clowns?” The sun had set at this point, and they’d seen no sign of 2D and Bruce back at the lodge.

“I’m gonna call 2D and see if he gets reception out there,” Russel said, “If I can’t reach him, I’ll talk to the receptionist and see if they can keep an eye out. It is kinda weird that they’re not back yet.”

“I’ll say,” Ace said. “They could’ve been eaten by bears or something. Not much of a band without a lead singer.”

“I appreciate that you’re worried, at least,” Noodle said with a knowing smile.

--

Finale of the Idaho arc!

Noodle, Russel, and Ace stood at the foot of the namesake mountain, gazing up toward the peak. “So they’re going to climb that big dang mountain?” Ace said, scratching his head. He could see a few out-of-season lifts that were dotted here and there, but very few notable hiking paths.

Noodle shrugged. “I could handle it. I like hiking.” She kicked at a patch of dry grass before looking up at the mountain again. “Sure you don’t want to go up, Ace? We could catch up to them!”

Ace wiped his brow, already sweating just looking at the mountain. “I’ll pass, crazy lady. I’d rather just chill in the lodge, if you ask me.”

Noodle shrugged, and looked at Russel. “What about you, Russ?”

Russel shrugged too. “I’m not in the best shape, sittin’ in a bus, and being in a cushy hotel before all that. But if you want to go up, it’s better to go in groups. ‘Specially since it’s getting late.”

It was true. The sun was slowly drifting down to the horizon, and Ace felt a bit uneasy. “How long have those jokers been up there? Hours, at this rate.”

“Yeah, basically,” Noodle said, gazing upward. “I’m sure he’s fine. He’s survived worse than being lost on a mountain.”

Ace raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

Noodle grinned at him and responded, “He got swallowed by a whale once. Then the whale got beached and he had to eat its nasty blubber to stay alive.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

Noodle laughed. “Let’s go back to the cafe and get some dinner.” She turned and headed back to the lodge.

“Noodle! Is that a real story?” he called after her.

Ace turned to Russel, but he only chuckled and patted Ace on the back. “Why don’t you ask 2D some time?” Then he followed Noodle.

“Oh, suuuure.” Ace said, rolling his eyes, but he went back with them anyway.

The lighting in the lodge had shifted a bit, with some rooms completely dark and only the essential ones still lit. The cashier of the cafe was different now, so they must’ve come in for the evening shift, and even then there were less food options available.

They all settled for a few sandwiches and sat down at the same table as before. “Does this place even have rooms for us to stay in?” Ace asked, biting down on a grilled cheese sandwich. “It’s a small place.”

“You’re right, it’s not a resort.” Noodle said, tapping her egg salad sandwich against her plate. “There are a few rooms that got set up for us to sleep in, but I wouldn’t expect more than a few mattresses with blankets.”

“Ritzy,” Russ responded, and finished off his BLT. “I don’t mind swingin’ it for a night or two.”

“Yeah, an actual mattress is a lot better than a bus bench,” Ace said. “Wonder how long the rest of our trip is gonna be if we take stops like this all the time.”

Noodle shrugged. “I don’t think it’s going to be like this for the whole ride. 2D really acted like he wanted to go to Miami, and this felt a bit more like a one-off.”

Ace scratched his head. “You know him better than I do. What does he want to go to Miami for, anyhow?”

“That’s anyone’s guess,” Russel said, “Far as I know, Miami’s got a good party scene. We’ve written club songs before, maybe that’s what he’s lookin’ for.”

“Plus or minus whatever he’s trying to write right now,” Ace pointed out around a mouthful of sandwich.

Noodle nodded, and with a slight smile, she added, “Yeah, I don’t think Idaho has much of a party scene. I mean, I like nature, but it is kinda boring here right now.”

“You ever been skiing? I haven’t,” Ace asked.

“Yeah, couple of times,” Noodle said. “I like cross-country more than mountains, but those are fun too. It’d be a nice break from the summer heat, at any rate.”

“Where I come from, it was fairly nice weather all the time. Nothing too harsh in any season, I don’t think. Coast weather, yknow. Some snow in the winter but not enough to ski or anything.”

Russel nodded. “I don’t ski, but it sounds fun. I’d rather hike, though.”

There was a minute of silence. “Fun conversation,” Ace said, snidely but without real malice, “So when should we send out the search party for those clowns?” The sun had set at this point, and they’d seen no sign of 2D and Bruce back at the lodge.

“I’m gonna call 2D and see if he gets reception out there,” Russel said, “If I can’t reach him, I’ll talk to the receptionist and see if they can keep an eye out. It is kinda weird that they’re not back yet.”

“I’ll say,” Ace said. “They could’ve been eaten by bears or something. Not much of a band without a lead singer.”

“I appreciate that you’re worried, at least,” Noodle said with a knowing smile.

“Oh, can it. I can dislike the guy without wanting him dead,” Ace retorted.

Noodle put up her hands. “Alright, alright. Russ, you go make that phone call, and Ace and I will find the rooms they made up for us.”

“Sounds good to me,” Ace said, and he stood from the table, Noodle beside him. “G’night, Russ.”

“Night.”

——

“Wake up.”

“Hngmh?”

“Ace, mate, wake up!”

Ace blinked one tired eye open, and was woken from the shock at seeing 2D standing over him, shaking his shoulder. “Wha? Whassamatter?”

“Song time, Ace. I just got back, everyone’s getting up, we’ve got a song to record!”

“2D, buddy, it’s,” he paused a moment to dig out his phone, “2 AM? Why the hell were you out in the woods that late?”

2D seemed giddy, bouncing on the soles of his feet. “I was getting song inspiration. C’mon, get up!”

Ace sighed and rubbed his face blearily, before sitting up and sliding his shades on. “Alright, I’m comin’, boss.”

2D practically bounded out of the room like an excited teenager. “Where does he get that energy?” Ace muttered to himself, dumbfounded.

He slogged out of bed, shrugging on a hoodie before staggering out of his room. Across the hall, he saw Noodle making her way to the room where they’d set up their gear while recording their instrumental song—Noodle had decided to call it “Lake Zurich”, for some reason.

Ace picked up his pace until he fell in beside her. “Nothing like recording in the middle of the night,” he grumbled.

“I’ve been woken up much later at night than this,” Noodle mumbled, managing a smile. “Happens when you’re part of a group of ‘artistes’.”

“Didn’t know it was part of the territory,” Ace said, and he opened the door for Noodle as they reached the studio. “After you.”

Noodle nodded her thanks, and the two sidled over to their instruments and took them out of their cases. Russel was already inside, half-snoozing over his drum set, and Noodle tapped on the cymbals to wake him.

“Huhwhat? Oh,” he said, and he sat up a little straighter. “My bad.”

“Not your bad, in my opinion,” Ace replied, as he leaned against a wall and lightly plucked the strings of his bass.

2D finally entered the room, and everyone stared at him as walked around, handing everyone little pieces of paper with musical notation. When he passed Russel, he dug out a small instrument from his pocket, which looked like some kind of small but weird device. “You’ll be using this mostly, Russ.”

Russel looked at him appraisingly, then back at his paper. “Interesting...?”

That’s one way to put it, Ace thought as he looked at his own sheet, Pretty simple and soft, no need for funky pedals.

2D sat at his piano, which hooked up to his synths. “Everybody good, then?”

Ace shrugged. “As good as I’ll be, considering I’ve looked at this for like, what, 2 minutes? It’ll be fiiiine.”

2D looked at him skeptically, and Ace looked back with an unimpressed expression. Eventually 2D turned away. “One, two, one two three four.”

Ace started off the tune, gentle notes on his bass that went back and forth. It sounded almost country-like, which seemed uncharacteristic for their band. He didn’t think ‘country’ was a genre Gorillaz went for. Noodle joined him shortly thereafter, also gently fingerpicking.

Russel occasionally shook his instrument, and 2D played very quiet sustained synths. Finally, he began to sing, “I landed on the silver lake, washed up and feeling blue. Heard the sound of footsteps drifting softly to the moon. Looking for clear water, I had to take control; out there in the wilderness, another bullet hole. Playin’ it all for gods, yesterday.”

It was mellow, extremely wistful, and definitely country-like. Russel joined in with some very soft and muted tapping for the chorus.

“Idaho, Idaho. There’s beauty on the road. Everyday I look out of the bus; silver linings getting lost.”

Ace could definitely see where he’d been getting inspiration from the road trip, and from the woods on Soldier Mountain. Ace wondered what it had been like on that mountain with Bruce Willis. 2D didn’t generally seem like the outdoorsy type to him, especially since he was older than Ace, and even Ace struggled with the outdoors.

Ace tuned out at some point, half asleep but his hands playing on autopilot, when he heard 2D sing, “’Ride on’ said the King of Cool, ‘you’ve got nothing to lose. Tinseltown is down the road, it’s the bullet, or the noose.’”

That last part seemed a little dark, even for 2D. As he played the chorus one last time, Ace stared at him in a kind of drowsy concern.

Then, as they finished the song, the group sat in silence for a minute. Then 2D said, “Again, I wanna get this perfect.”

Ace could barely keep himself from groaning. Of course this isn’t the end. It’s going to be a long night.

And it was. It took until around 4 AM before 2D was satisfied. Noodle and Russel were out of the room like shots from a gun, but 2D stayed to shuffle around his papers, and Ace held back for a few minutes too. “Ey, uh, 2D.”

2D jumped a bit like he’d been startled out of his thoughts. “What?”

“What, uh... what were you up to out there? We—uh, Noodle and Russel were worried when you were gone for so long.”

2D squinted at him for a few moments, trying to read into any double meanings that might have been there. Then he sighed and turned away. “Just gettin’ outside my head a bit. Big mountain, lots of inspiration, innit? Bruce knew lots of good places, and I was just able to think. Clear me brain.”

“I totally wasn’t under the impression it was fogged up in there,” Ace half-joked.

“Go sleep, Ace. Let me be alone a little while longer.”

Ace rolled his eyes, but couldn’t keep from yawning. “If you insist, boss.” He turned and headed toward the door.

“But um,” 2D started, and Ace looked back at him. “I appreciate the concern— you know, from ‘Noodle and Russel’.”

Ace couldn’t help but smile a tiny bit. “I’ll let ‘em know. G’night.”

Ace meandered his way down the darkened halls of the ski lodge, using his phone for light. He suddenly recalled that first night at the hotel in LA, when he’d been sitting in the dark and had the distinct impression someone had been in the room with him.

“It had to be him,” Ace mumbled to himself. “Too chicken to come meet me like a normal person.” He wondered what it was like, to be so scared of someone that anyone who looks remotely like them is basically a dangerous enemy.

Once again, he found himself wondering: What the heck did Murdoc do?

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

Sorry for the lateness, had a really busy day!

Chapter 14: Magic City Pt. 1 - Prelude

Summary:

He was right at the edge of said water, letting it sweep over his feet in shallow, foamy waves. There weren’t any large clumps of seaweed on the shore, and there weren’t too many pointy shells barring his access to deeper areas. The footprints he’d left in the soft sand had long since washed away, a testament to how long he’d been there just taking in the view.

If he were being completely honest, he’d say that he was just waiting for the rest of the band to join him. They were taking their time making their way to the edge of the water; Noodle had set up a towel further up the beach, intent on soaking up the sun; Russel was more interested in seashell collecting than swimming; and 2D seemed to be hemming and hawing about wanting go in at all. Ace wasn’t too surprised, given the whale story he’d heard from Noodle. I never did end up asking 2D about it.

--

The band finally makes it to Miami!

Out of the many places the band visited on the way to Florida, none of the towns came even close to the glamor of Miami. Sure, Colorado had some great mountains, Frankfort had some interesting buildings, and Atlanta had phenomenal food; but the sheer beauty of the coast in Miami left them all behind.

Ace dug his feet into the sand of the beach, inhaling the sea air. They’d chosen a lovely beachside resort to stay in, and after unloading all their stuff, they’d bee-lined to the sea. It wasn’t like Ace had never been to the waterfront before, because Townsville had a big lake, but it was nothing special. This beach had white sands and clear blue water as far as the eye could see.

He was right at the edge of said water, letting it sweep over his feet in shallow, foamy waves. There weren’t any large clumps of seaweed on the shore, and there weren’t too many pointy shells barring his access to deeper areas. The footprints he’d left in the soft sand had long since washed away, a testament to how long he’d been there just taking in the view.

If he were being completely honest, he’d say that he was just waiting for the rest of the band to join him. They were taking their time making their way to the edge of the water; Noodle had set up a towel further up the beach, intent on soaking up the sun; Russel was more interested in seashell collecting than swimming; and 2D seemed to be hemming and hawing about wanting go in at all. Ace wasn’t too surprised, given the whale story he’d heard from Noodle. I never did end up asking 2D about it.

Ace finally bit the bullet, and stepped knee-deep into the surf. It was a refreshing temperature, not too cold, but also not warm like a swimming pool. There were medium sized waves today, perfect for the athletes wakeboarding out in deeper water, but that’s not what Ace liked to do.

He vastly enjoyed going out a little deeper into the water, letting the waves carry him up and down, and trying not to get slapped in the face by them. It was almost like a rollercoaster. He paddled out, past the point where he could stand, and treaded water.

The ebb and flow of the waves swayed Ace in all directions. Good thing I don’t get seasick. Ace thought with a wry smile. Guess you can’t get greener than this.

Despite having grown up in a town that had a monster in its lake, Ace didn’t fear anything in the water. He still had his trusty switchblade with him; forget kicking, he could stab any sharks in the nose if he needed to.

Or whales, he thought, and laughed to himself before getting smacked in the face by a wave. He spat out sea water, shaking his wet hair out and readjusting his shades, which were kept tight to his head with a sunglasses strap—if he’d lost his beloved glasses in the ocean, he would’ve never forgiven himself.

During a brief lull, Ace turned back to shore. Noodle was still tanning, Russel was building a sand sculpture, and 2D… was he just staring out at the sea, or was he staring at him?

Ace let the waves carry him back, stumbling onto the beach as the last one battered the back of his legs. He walked up to his bandmate and stood beside him. 2D didn’t say anything right away, just looking into the distance.

“Worried about whales? Or just don’t like the water?”

2D shrugged, somewhat listlessly, and said, “I didn’t use to mind the beach. Went on holiday in Jamaica once with… Murdoc.”

Oh boy, Ace thought. Still, he continued on, testing the waters, so to speak. “Was it a nice trip? Packed you in his suitcase and smuggled you to paradise?”

“Nah, that happened later.” 2D said, tone so serious that Ace found himself surprised. Before Ace could find something to say to that, 2D continued, “The Jamaica trip was nice. Not a thing wrong with it. But Plastic Beach… that was a rough time, yeah.”

“Plastic Beach?”

“Murdoc’s ‘paradise’,” 2D said, air quoting. “Took me there and just wanted to make music, but… I didn’t… well, it’s old history at this point, innit? But look at Noodle, and Russ: they don’t want to go in the water either. Was a bad time for all of us.”

“Wow.” Ace said, and then couldn’t think of anything else to follow it up with.

“So nah, I don’t want to go in the water. Looked like you were having fun, though.”

Ace grimaced. “I was before.”

2D stared out at the water for a few more minutes, before shrugging. “Yeah. Anyways.” Without further ado, he turned around and headed back up the shore to where the rest of the band was. With nothing better to do, Ace headed back with him.

He stopped by Russel first. “Whatcha building?” The sand sculpture had really evolved, but for the life of him, Ace couldn’t figure out what it was. It looked like some kind of animal?

“Sand taxidermy, looks like,” 2D said.

“This is Goathog 5000.” Russel said proudly, and gingerly patted the sand.

Ace inspected it, scratching his head. “What’s sticking out of its butt?”

“Car engine.”

“Of course, silly me. How could I not see that?”

2D deadpanned, “No taste in art.”

Ace chuckled at that, and moved on, leaving Russel and 2D behind. Noodle was done tanning, and seemed to have picked up a little color. Now she was leaning under an umbrella, reading comics. Ace walked by and plopped himself down on the sand next to her—and then immediately regretted it when sand stuck to his legs.

“So,” Ace said, hiding discomfort from his unfortunate seating arrangement, “Lovely day on the beach. You like soakin’ up the sun, huh?”

Noodle nodded, putting her comics aside. “Yeah, there was good sun today. Didn’t want to waste it!”

“The water was nice,” Ace mentioned, trying to sound casual.

“Eh,” Noodle said noncommittally, and drew some shapes in the sand next to her. “I’ve had all the swimming I could want in my lifetime. Haven’t spent enough time tanning, if you ask me! ...did you want something?”

“Well, 2D mentioned something about a place called ‘Plastic Beach’, but he was being kinda vague.” Ace was already feeling less courageous about prying, knowing what 2D had said, and was close to losing his nerve.

“Oh,” Noodle said, and looked up at him, giving him a searching look. “What did you want to know about it?”

“I just wanted to know... did something bad happen there?”

Noodle gave a dry chuckle, looking away. “A lot of bad things happened. Mostly to 2D though, I imagine. I wasn’t there for very long, since Russel and I spent a lot of time stranded in the ocean. Murdoc and 2D were basically alone on Plastic Beach.”

“Doesn’t sound fun.”

“No, it probably wasn’t.” They were both silent for a moment, before Noodle looked at him again. “You’re trying to figure out why 2D hates him so much, don’t you?”

“Am I that obvious?” Ace said meekly.

Noodle laughed, for real this time. “Not as obvious as the truth, Ace. Haven’t you figured it out yet? You basically said it yourself once a while ago: Murdoc and 2D were—”

But the moment was broken with 2D and Russel walking in closer. Ace and Noodle both looked up, and 2D held his phone up. “There’s a party happening tonight at a swanky place in the city tonight. We’re all invited.”

“Sounds fun.” Noodle said, tilting her head interestedly.

Then 2D looked at Ace. “But you probably don’t want to come, yeah?”

Was Ace imagining it, or did 2D sound almost hopeful? It made Ace bristle slightly. “I can enjoy a party without drinking or anything! Sign me up, boss.” He grinned, showing teeth.

2D nodded slowly. “Right, then. We should all probably head back to the hotel soon then. You’ll wanna be a bit more dressed up than that, bruv.”

Ace looked down at his swim trunks, patterned with tropical flowers and still sopping wet. “Yeah,” Ace said, “You’re right about that. But if there’s anything Ace D. Copular can do, it’s dressing to impress!”

2D gave a small smile at that. “If you say so. Just don’t pick something too flashy, yeah? Lowkey is good.”

“Sure thing, boss.” Ace said breezily, but he knew exactly what he was going to wear to the party tonight. And I won’t be holding back any of the stops.

——

Okay, Ace thought, maybe I don’t know what I want to wear. Still, Ace was so glad he’d brought some fancy outfits with him. He had a hunch that he’d need them, and he was right. Mulling over his decisions in his stylish hotel room, he paced back and forth on the carpeted floor. Several clothing options lay on the freshly made, stark white bed.

He had the getup from the Trans video, and while it would definitely make an impression, he wanted something fresher than that. He also had his trusty leather jacket, which made up a simpler outfit with a casual graphic tee and dark jeans. If he really wanted to go full fancy, he also had a nice suit with purple accents he could choose. He also had a few fun accessories and hats to go with his choice.

He really didn’t know what kind of vibe the party was going to have, which made things harder. All 2D had said was ‘swanky’, which meant that the suit could be the right option, but he somehow doubted that a Miami party would be a room full of people in fancy dress. The Tranz outfit would’ve garnered recognition, but the video hadn’t been released yet, so he would just turn up looking like a disco-era partygoer.

That only left his casual outfit, and he didn’t know if he would be underdressing if he showed up like that. But he put it on regardless, and he stood in front of the mirror for at least five minutes gripped with indecision, fairly certain that this would not be enough.

Then, he had a lightbulb moment, and rushed back to his suitcase. He dug out his hat, a wide brimmed fedora with a band of fabric complementing it. Putting it on, he went back to the mirror once more. This is definitely better, but I’m still missing something.

He stalked back to his suitcase, digging through the unfolded clothing for anything that could possibly spice up this outfit even more. I’m honestly surprised I managed to pack so much clothing in h— “Ow!”

He’d hit his finger on the corner of something sharp, and he yanked out his hand to suck on the not-quite-wound. More carefully, he pulled out articles of clothing, trying to find what he’d nearly stabbed himself on. Then, there it was—

“Oh, yes.”

——

“Ace,” Noodle said, trying to stifle laughter, “I’m sorry, but I gotta meme on you... What are those?”

“These,” Ace said, mock offended, “are the finest pair of shades I own. Only for special occasions!”

“I’m diggin’ them,” Russel said, trying to hide his own smile. “Really suits you, man.”

2D was just blinking at him like he wasn’t sure what he was seeing. “Pink... star... sunglasses? Really?”

“Yes, really,” Ace said, grinning a sharp grin. “If I’m going to a party, I’m going in style, blue boy.”

“‘Blue boy'??”

“Now let’s get going! I know ‘fashionably late’ is a thing, but let’s be real. The party don’t start ‘til Ace walks in. So let’s not keep our fellow partygoers waiting!”

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

Sorry again for the lateness. Not sure how many people are still reading this story but you deserve your chapters on time.

Chapter 15: Magic City Pt. 2 - Party

Summary:

Ace bit back his frustration, and instead grinned at the women, throwing open his arms. “I’d say sorry to disappoint, but I don’t disappoint! I’m Ace, I’m better than Murdoc, and I’m new in town! Pleased to meet you dolls.” He said, lowering his shades to wink.

There was only a moment of silence before the ladies giggled and moved even closer to him. “Oh my god yeah, you look way cooler than Murdoc!”

“I like a man with style,” another girl said, returning his wink. “You wanna go get some drinks, new guy? Ace?”

“I, uh—” Ah crud... be cool, Ace. You really gonna tell these girls you don’t drink?

--

Ace and gang arrive at the big party, but it might not be everything Ace hoped it would be. Make sure to check the tags for this chapter!

They almost got lost a couple times on the way to the venue. Who knew that Miami would be so confusing to navigate? But once they got close, they started seeing revelers all the way up and down the street, so it wasn’t too hard to find after that.

As usual, it wasn’t difficult for the band to get in. All 2D had to do was show the bouncer a PDF of an invite on his phone, and Russel showed him his driver’s license, and they were waved in with no problems.

“Why did you have to show your license instead of 2D’s?” Ace asked Russel as they walked in.

“2D doesn’t have a driver’s license.”

“Oh, okay. Go figure,” he laughed, “I wouldn’t trust him to drive me anyway, with his eye problems and everything.”

Russel didn’t respond, but Ace wasn’t terribly bothered. They entered the lobby of the building, which was already full of people in various states of drunkenness and revelry, but instead they advanced toward the elevator, where another bouncer was standing watch.

Same as before, they identified themselves, and the bouncer nodded. “Please press the button for the penthouse, and enjoy the party.” After a moment of hesitation, he added, “Love your music, by the way.”

“Thanks, bruv,” 2D said offhandedly, and the group entered the elevator.

The quiet elevator music was offset by a distant thumping of club music above them that slowly dominated the Muzak as they rose higher and higher. Ace leaned against the elevator wall and took out his phone, flipping it open to the camera function to check his hair.

Noodle elbowed him. “Nervous?”

“Me, nervous?” Ace scoffed, “I just think first impressions matter! Can’t show up at a joint like this with messy hair!”

Noodle rolled her eyes. “You never have messy hair anyway! You use so much grease it’d make a fast food place jealous.”

“Oh come on, Noodle, that’s a little—”

The elevator dinged open, and Ace lost his words for a moment.

At first glance, he could tell the penthouse was normally unreasonably fancy. Tons of rooms, marble flooring, windows that stretched the entire height of the wall—and showed off an unparalleled view of the Miami skyline—and a cool modern-looking bar that displayed an impressive collection of bottles.

At second glance, however, he could clearly see that the place was in shambles from all the partying. There was garbage everywhere, drink stains on the walls and floors, and the chandelier even had someone’s bra thrown onto it.

All sorts of influencers and rich people were packing into the place, so that as large as it was, there was barely any room to squeeze into the crowd. Nevertheless, as they stepped out of the elevator, a cheer went out from the partygoers, and they were quickly mobbed. People rushed up to greet 2D, Noodle, and Russel, while a few women migrated over to Ace with looks of interest.

“You’re Murdoc, right?” one girl said.

“You look so different from your pictures, you really clean up well!” said another, batting her eyelashes.

“Looking good, Mudzy!” a third said, throwing finger guns at him.

Ace bit back his frustration, and instead grinned at the women, throwing open his arms. “I’d say sorry to disappoint, but I don’t disappoint! I’m Ace, I’m better than Murdoc, and I’m new in town! Pleased to meet you dolls.” He said, lowering his shades to wink.

There was only a moment of silence before the ladies giggled and moved even closer to him. “Oh my god yeah, you look way cooler than Murdoc!”

“I like a man with style,” another girl said, returning his wink. “You wanna go get some drinks, new guy? Ace?”

“I, uh—” Ah crud... be cool, Ace. You really gonna tell these girls you don’t drink? “I’ll tell you what, ladies, how about I buy all of youse some drinks? Whatever you want, on the house!”

The women all cheered, and one of them grabbed his elbow and dragged him toward the bar. Ace felt a moment of panic at being separated from the gang, but when he looked around, he couldn’t see any of them anyway. They’d all dispersed to different corners of the penthouse.

They whisked him off to the bar, giggling as they placed their orders and glances back at Ace like they wanted to make sure he was still there. Where else would I go? It’s not like I know anybody here. Or even the way out at this point.

He handed the bartender his card, and all the ladies continued to ogle him as they sipped on their drinks. “I thought Murdoc was the only green guy there was,” one of them confessed, only half-embarrassed.

“Nope, there’s a few of us. I grew up with a whole bunch of green guys!”

“Ooh, are they here too?”

Ace quickly shook his head. “No no no, I left those suckers way behind.”

Surprisingly, the ladies almost looked disappointed, so he added on, “Not the crowd I wanted to be with. My bandmates are a heck of a lot better.”

“I think the green skin is cool,” One of them said, leaning in a little. She seemed to be the leader of the trio. “You don’t see something that special every day!”

“Special, huh?” Ace couldn’t help but feel a little flustered suddenly. This was a stark contrast from 2D’s attitude, at least. Not to mention that she was leaning in really close. He cleared his throat and cracked a smile. “Don’t I know it! It’s not easy being green,” he punctuated with a wink, “But oh buddy, is it worth it!”

“It really is,” she said, an expression on her face like the cat who got the cream, “Me and my friends are so honored to meet you!”

“Yeah!” said one, raising her mostly empty drink, the other friend joining in with her actually empty glass.

“You ladies want more? I can spare a couple of rounds,” Ace said, relaxing back into his chair and flashing his credit card. The ladies eagerly flagged down the bartender to place their next orders.

“You going to have anything?” The leader said, smiling coyly at him. “We’re all here for a good time!”

Ace shook his head. “I prefer to be... present in the moment, y’know? Plus, never felt like I needed it, ‘cuz I didn’t grow up with the stuff.” He thought back to all those years ago in Townsville, where every once in a while, the ‘supervillains’ would all get together and party like there was no tomorrow, but even among that bad crowd, there was never any alcohol. Weird experimental chemicals? Sure. But no alcohol.

“If you say so, Ace baby,” she shrugged, and placed her own order.

The evening slowly passed, and the girls grew tipsier and tipsier, and while they drank, Ace stole a fancy cocktail stick and chewed on it to keep himself occupied. But at some point, Ace’s conscience caught up with him, and he suggested that they all retire to somewhere other than the bar.

“Oooh, let’s dance!” one of the girls yelled, and they staggered to the dance floor, dragging Ace behind them. The music was loud, some kind of club-meets-techno music and the speakers were so big that they made the whole penthouse shake. The floor was extremely crowded, but they all found a way to squeeze in.

Ace wasn’t much for dancing, but the girls were having fun, so he joined in. He knew a few moves, but this was a much more up-and-coming crowd, and he was a bit outdated. But the girls still cooed and cheered as he showed off his moves, and for a moment, he was really basking in the glow of the party, and the attention.

Then the leader of the trio got up in his personal space, and started grinding.

Time seemed to stop for a second. Ace flushed deep green, and before he could think better of it, he pushed her away, and she stumbled back, almost bumping into some other partiers. The other two girls stopped and stared at him, before going to help their friend. Embarrassed, he fled out of the crowd, stepping between clusters of people until he found a quieter corner with a large couch he could sink into and debate how his life was going.

Didn’t you want those girls to like you? he thought to himself, before shaking his head and answering his own question, Not like that.

He stared into the crowd, feeling lost. Checking his watch, he saw that it was already 11 PM, and he hadn’t seen anyone from the band since 9. He wondered if maybe he should look for one of them, but then bit back the urge. This is my chance to interact with people other than my bandmates and have a social life. Prove I can thrive outside a small group, he thought bitterly.

“What a mug!” He looked up to see the three girls from before. “You look sad, Ace, did I do something wrong?”

Ace swallowed. “No, sorry about that, doll, just wasn’t expecting that. Didn’t mean to push you.”

“Oh good!” The leader gushed, and she and her friends sashayed up before plopping themselves on the couch next to him. “We were worried we lost you, Ace baby. Glad you didn’t run too far!” She pouted, “We’re not that ugly, are we?”

“No, no, of course not! You all look lovely tonight, ladies. You really do!”

“So sweet,” one of the girls said, batting her eyes, “we could just eat you up, Ace.”

“Well, uh, don’t get ahead of yourselves, gals. There’s plenty of night left to relax and enjoy the party!”

“Mm,” one girl said, leaning in and tracing a finger over the Ace card patch on his leather jacket, sending almost electric shivers up his back. “Not much for dancing, Ace?”

Ace felt so out of his comfort zone. “Not really... I just like to sit back and watch the party, maybe make some small talk.”

“Well,” said the other girl said, laying her head on his shoulder, “you’ve small-talked. You’re sitting back!”

“We could show you a real party,” the leader said, and she… slid into his lap. “All you have to do is keep sitting back, Ace baby…” She slid the cocktail stick from in between his teeth and put it between her own. “…maybe show us some more of that pretty green skin.”

Oh god. Oh god.

“Okay, no. Just no!” Ace stood—with difficulty—dumping the girl off his lap and sending her sprawling on the floor. “I don’t go in for that stuff! And—and I don’t even know you girls’ names! We’re strangers! So, no thanks!”

“Come on, Ace—” one of the girls said, putting a hand on his arm, but he shook her off and backed away.

“No! Buzz off, chicks, find some other guy to get his bones jumped. I’m done.”

And at that, he left them behind. As he did, he heard the leader grumble, “What an asshole.”

But he didn’t care. He didn’t want what they wanted, and he was fine with ditching them to keep his boundaries. No kissing, or nasty stuff, that was just a hard no.

He moved off further into the crowd, turning randomly to find some corner of the room where maybe he could find some peace, or better yet, the exit.

But as he was just losing hope, in the gaps between bodies, he spotted a familiar shock of bright blue hair on the other side of the room, and he practically shoved his way through the crowd to get closer.

Finally, a familiar face! He’d take a sour 2D over those dames any day, and—

Surprisingly, he found his bandmate in a very similar situation to the one he’d just been in. 2D was laid back into a cushy couch, groupies on either side of him cozying up, but...

Something was... off.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

Finally, one that's on time! This chapter marks the start of a slightly darker trend in the story.

Chapter 16: Magic City Pt. 3 - Climax

Summary:

“I know... why you really brought me out here.”

“...oh?” Ace said, stiffly.

He placed a hand on Ace’s thigh.

“Yeah... you alwaysss get soooo jealous...”

--

Ace finds 2D, and discovers a revelation that'll shock his perceptions of both him and Murdoc to the core.

In the midst of the chaos, 2D looked practically asleep. His head was tilted back, mouth slack jawed and his eyes gazing unfocused into the distance. There was even a little dribble of drool trickling down his jaw.

“Ey, 2D?” Ace asked, waving to try and get his attention.

“...mm?”

“You okay, pal? You look... out of it.”

“I’m on... Jupiter right now... mate...”

One of his companions giggled. “He’s trippin’ balls, man.”

“And you’re crawling all over him like weevils,” Ace said, disgusted.

She rolled her eyes. “He don’t mind it! Do you, 2D?”

“Mghmm.”

She leaned in to place a kiss on his cheek, and a lazy smile drifted across 2D’s slack features.

Ace crossed his elbows for a moment before extending an arm. “Earth to 2D.” He lightly smacked his other cheek before pulling his hand back and making a peace sign. “How many fingers am I holding up?”

“Jjjust... the bird... I reckon.” He didn’t even focus his gaze on Ace’s hand.

Now it was Ace’s turn to roll his eyes. He leaned in and grabbed 2D from under his armpits, pulling him out from the chair.

“Noo, come on! Don’t be such a party pooper,” one girl whined, grabbing 2D’s arm and giving it a tug, trying to pull him away from Ace. “He’s ours tonight!”

“Dude’s barely conscious! Go find someone else, you vultures,” Ace hissed, finally managing to shake her off, and muttered, “Dames are all the same.”

“...wha?”

“Not talking to you, 2D.”

He half-dragged, half-carried 2D away from the couch, extremely grateful that he was so lanky and not overly heavy.

“Mmmwhere we goin’?” 2D mumbled.

Ace sighed, looking through the throngs of people. “Somewhere we can get you fresh air.”

The apartment was packed to the brim and impossible to see through, but Ace had recalled seeing balconies in the penthouse from ground level, and that’s what his sights were set on.

Dragging 2D through such a crowded building was a task and a half. A lot of people gave them weird looks as they pushed through the crowd, and the sweltering room plus 2D’s body heat was making him sweat.

But finally, he spotted a glimpse of the night sky, and with one last shove, Ace managed to get to it. A couple was making out on the bench situated there, but their indignant expressions on being intruded on were quickly stifled when Ace gave them a look that could kill, and they cleared out in record time.

Handily, he plopped 2D on the bench, and immediately had to prop him up by sitting next to him, since he started tilting the moment he hit the marble. 2D swayed a bit, hunched over while Ace brooded.

“Do you know what you took, at least?” Ace said.

“Took... more than one thing... I think,” he slurred.

Go figure. Sighing, Ace dug his cell phone out. He scrolled through his list of contacts, looking for Noodle, but he doubted she’d notice her phone ringing in the middle of a party like this.

Then 2D leaned against him, much more heavily this time, and put his head on Ace’s shoulder. He mumbled, “I know... why you really brought out here.”

“...oh?” Ace said, stiffly.

2D placed a hand on Ace’s thigh.

“Yeah... you alwaysss get soooo jealous...”

He turned his head inward, breath hot on Ace’s skin.

“Always... want me to yourself, huh, Mudz?”

And 2D kissed Ace’s neck.

Ace didn’t fully comprehend the next moment, brain whiting out with panic, but when he came back to himself, he was standing, and 2D was on the ground...

And he was cowering. Curled up with his hands over his head, quaking and whimpering. As though he were used to being hurt in moments like this.

Ace backed away, shaking his head numbly. And what he did next? He wasn’t proud of it.

He ran.

His mind felt like it was full of static, and he pushed his way through partiers indiscriminately as he tried to shepherd his brain back together. He was just too full of too many emotions: fear, shock, even anger.

What Noodle had said came back to him, making much more sense: “Haven’t you figured it out yet? You basically said it yourself once a while ago: Murdoc and 2D were—”

A couple. They were dating. And it hadn’t been pretty.

This is why he hated me so much, isn’t it?

But... was it really hate? 2D had seemed soft, sentimental, even joking with him, before he... kissed him.

No. No. Ace couldn’t deal with that. He just couldn’t.

His wild dash finally got the better of him, and he smashed into a woman headlong. He was sure they were both going to topple over until she dug her elbow into his gut to prop them both up.

“Hey, watch it! Wait, Ace??”

It was Noodle. Wheezing, Ace grabbed her sleeve and pointed at where he came from. “2D, on the balcony, very high. I can’t stay here, go find him.”

Noodle looked surprised, and she opened her mouth to say more, but Ace was already good as gone. He booked it to the elevator, ignoring her as she shouted after him. He slammed the door-closing button, and leaned against the elevator wall, trying to get his breath back and calm down.

He could still feel the ghost of the kiss 2D left on his neck, and it took him all his restraint to try not to claw at it. I can’t afford to lose it like this. No panic attacks. Breathe, Ace.

Ace’s head was spinning, just trying to imagine what must have happened between Murdoc and 2D. Clearly it hadn’t been healthy, that much was clear from how 2D used to treat him. But despite how little Ace thought of Murdoc, he hadn’t even considered that he might be abusive.

But none of this is my fault. I don’t deserve to be caught up in all of this.

The elevator dinged open, and he rushed out, leaving the building entirely and making his way to the curb.

He was lucky enough for an oncoming taxi to drive by, and he hailed the cabbie. He slung himself into the back and ordered the driver to take him to the hotel. “Extra cash if you make it quick, buddy.”

The taxi peeled out and away, but Ace just couldn’t leave his doubts behind at the venue, no matter how much he wanted to. He felt sick, in more ways than one, and the taxi whipping around did nothing to allay his worries. He put his head in his arms and just closed his eyes.

I know... why you really brought out here.

Yeah... you alwaysss get soooo jealous...

Ace groaned aloud, and jumped when the driver suddenly said, “You’re not gonna throw up, are you? You better tell me now, man, so I can pull over.”

“No, no,” Ace said queasily, “I’m fine, I promise.”

The driver said, “Alright, but if you do, your fee is double, pal.” Then he grumbled, “This is why I never work the party shift.”

Ace didn’t comment further. He just tried to hold it together, keep his anguish inside, where no one could see how he was hurting. He was good at that.

Finally, the cab pulled up to the front of the hotel, and Ace tossed a wad of cash at the cabbie. He exited the vehicle and made it into the lobby of the hotel, powering past the receptionists to the stairs. He didn’t want to spend time in another elevator alone with his thoughts, and running up the stairs would wear him out enough to keep him from thinking at all.

He made it to the suite, swiped his card, pushed through the door and slammed it behind him, movements almost mechanical. He beelined to his room and slammed that door for good measure. Better lock it, too, Ace thought, hands shaking as he latched it shut.

He paced around his room, trying to decide whether to gather his thoughts or push them away completely.

He kissed me...

Ace had never really been much for this kind of thing. He was generally averse to it, in fact; romance, things that happened in bedrooms and the backs of cars... it just wasn’t his schtick. And he was okay with that!

It must be the fact that it was 2D who did it, that really shook him. 2D had hated him, been rude from the start, and made some of his days with the band a living nightmare! And to make matters worse, 2D didn’t even kiss him because he wanted Ace. He thought he was Murdoc. Again.

And then there was that whole, shocking new revelation about Murdoc. That he and 2D had been in love—or at least, a long-standing relationship—and that Murdoc had abused 2D… while they were together.

As scummy as Murdoc was, I didn’t expect him to be like that... I thought better of him...

And despite being a terrible person, 2D was somehow still attracted to him. And that was another headscratcher that Ace didn’t even want to tackle tonight. It was getting late, and he was so upset that he was starting to get a headache, so maybe just going to sleep would be a good idea.

He had no energy to take off his party clothes. He just kicked off his shoes, threw his hat and fancy sunglasses aside and flopped onto the bed. He clutched the pillow tight, almost as though he could squeeze his anguish out. He tried relaxing his body to aid his attempt to sleep, the way he’d heard about on the internet, but it didn’t work. He was just too tense. He laid there, stiff as a board, for what felt like hours.

Sleep just wouldn’t come. Ace really wanted it to, though. Maybe if he went to sleep, this would all turn out to be a bad dream, where Ace wouldn’t have to deal with all the implications of what he’d just discovered.

And even though time had quickly passed since it happened, he could still feel the spot where 2D had kissed his neck. He felt disgusted by it, like it was a mark burned into his skin. He hated it, hated it, hated it. He couldn’t help but rub at it until it was sore, and since he clearly wouldn’t be able to sleep, he dragged himself out of bed and to the bathroom. Maybe he could wash the feeling away. He shed his clothing, climbed in the shower, slid the frosted glass door shut, and cranked the faucet on high heat.

And then he let the scalding water hit his back and neck, turning the skin a dark yellowish tint as he endured almost burning temperatures. Blessedly, it seemed to wash his troubled thoughts away. He stood in perfect brain-silence, and soon the water felt almost soothing.

It was so soothing, in fact, that he almost didn’t notice himself falling asleep until he distantly heard the suite door open, and he staggered into the wall, shocking his brain into waking back up. Ace shook his head and groaned, and then turned off the tap—the water was starting to run cold, anyway—and put on a towel before gathering his clothes and dashing to his room. It was, after all, a shared bathroom, and he didn’t want to have to talk to anyone. Honestly, the last thing he needed right now was to talk to the others.

Ace shrugged on an old shirt and some boxers, crawled into bed, and this time, he was finally able to fall asleep.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

Dun-dun-dun! Things are getting a little clearer for Ace now, and boy does he not like it.

Chapter 17: Magic City Pt. 4 - Finale

Summary:

Ace sighed and moved to the bathroom, picking up his comb and a palmful of gel to get his hair in a decent presentation. Hands working on autopilot, he just stared into his reflection. While there weren’t any bags under his eyes, he felt them in his soul. To think, he’d have to go out and face 2D eventually.

He might not remember...

That would be the best case scenario. No one would be the wiser, and Ace would just bury this little secret down where he could hope he’d never think of it again.

But if 2D did remember, Ace wouldn’t even know what to say to him.

--

The day after the party brings yet more anxiety, especially as the time comes to record a new song.

Through a night of restless sleep, Ace was plagued by vague dreams of discomfort and anger. It all swirled around like oil on water, with nothing that could easily be gleaned. He just felt lost, confused, and troubled to the core.

It was almost a blessing when Ace woke up to the sound of knocking on his door. Mind muddled with fatigue, he forgot about wanting to be alone and instinctively yelled, “Whaddya want? I’m sleepin’.”

The door opened, but in that moment, Ace remembered everything, and he sat up and whipped his head around to the door...

please don’t be 2D

...and fortunately, it was just Russel. “Hey man, Noodle asked me to check on you, said you were acting weird last night. Everything okay?”

Ace grimaced, but nodded his head. “Yeah, I just... it was really hot in there, and the music was giving me a headache,” he lied. “Didn’t want to spend another minute in there with my skull pounding.”

Fortunately, Russel seemed to believe him. “It’s one thing when you’re playin’ the music, and another when you’re just listening. Yeah, I get you. My skull was pounding this morning.”

“Oh yeah, uh... how’s everyone feeling? Did the rest of youse have massive hangovers too?”

Russel shrugged. “Me and Noodle are almost over ours. 2D, well... he got a little fucked up, took some drugs and blacked out. He’s still sleepin’ it off.”

“Oh... really? Ha, classic 2D.” Looks like Noodle hadn’t clued Russel in to the fact that she only knew where to find 2D because Ace had told her. Sighing wearily, Ace slid his legs off the edge of the bed and stood up, stretching some tension out of his muscles. “Alright, well I’m gonna get ready for the day and have some breakfast.”

Laughing, Russel said, “It’s already two in the afternoon! More like lunch.”

“Eh, a meal’s a meal,” Ace said, and grabbed his usual shades off the bedside table to slip them on. “Alright, shoo. I gotta get dressed.”

“Aight, see you later bro.” And Russel closed the door.

Ace sighed and moved to the bathroom, picking up his comb and a palmful of gel to get his hair in a decent presentation. Hands working on autopilot, he just stared into his reflection. While there weren’t any bags under his eyes, he felt them in his soul. To think, he’d have to go out and face 2D eventually.

He might not remember...

That would be the best case scenario. No one would be the wiser, and Ace would just bury this little secret down where he could hope he’d never think of it again.

But if 2D did remember, Ace wouldn’t even know what to say to him.

’Don’t freakin’ touch me again’ would be a good place to start as any, he thought wryly. But... that would cause drama, which was the last thing he wanted right now. With his luck, the only thing 2D would remember would be Ace pushing him onto the ground, and then maybe Noodle and Russel would be mad at him.

Filled with dread, Ace stepped out into the hall of the suite and made his way to the dining area. Fortunately, as promised, there was no sign of 2D. He made himself a quick bowl of cereal and sat at the table, eating morosely. He honestly didn’t have much of an appetite, but since he hadn’t eaten since in the early evening of the previous day, he knew he had to choke something down. Like my emotions.

“You look like a dead man walking,” a voice said, and he turned his head to see Noodle heading toward him, dragging her feet as she made her way over.

“You’re one to talk,” he said, forcing a little levity into his voice. But as Noodle swung into a chair opposite him and stared him down, he looked away, unable to meet her eyes. “Didn’t sleep too well,” he muttered.

“I bet,” she said hesitantly, and he could hear the concern in her voice when she said, “You gonna tell me what was up with last night? 2D was all alone, curled up on the floor of the balcony, high out of his mind, and you just booking it in the opposite direction? That was a little weird. It’s not like you to run away, Ace.”

He shrugged lifelessly. “It’s more in character than you’d think. I’m an unsuccessful supervillain, remember? Gotta be good at retreating.”

Noodle raised an eyebrow.

Ace looked into his bowl of cereal, which seemed less and less appetizing. He decided on a half-truth. “Eh... 2D just said some stupid stuff while he was high, and I didn’t want to put up with it. You know how he gets.”

Thankfully, his words had the intended effect. “Ugh, honestly. I don’t know what his issue is, but he needs to seriously get a grip. And I thought the therapy was helping, too.”

“Yeah, well. Old habits die hard, I guess.” He forced himself to eat a spoonful of his breakfast. “You can try and change someone, and they just never learn. Even when the past can come back to bite them.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Ace grimaced. “I dunno. It just stinks to see someone who can’t figure out that they need to move on.”

Noodle opened her mouth to say something, but then a door across the hall slammed open, and 2D staggered out of his room. “Oi, guys,” he called, and made his way over to the table. Ace wanted to look away, but found his gaze frozen on 2D.

Would he remember?

2D looked at the two of them, and then focused on Noodle. “I got a new song, we need to record right now! Where’s Russ?”

...maybe he didn’t?

“He’s around. What’s the hurry?”

2D ruffled his hair, swiping it out of his eyes before heaving a huge impatient sigh. “This is important, it’s big! I have tabs and everything, we just need to go. Get dressed, finish eating, the pair of you!”

Ace let some of the tension ooze out of his shoulders. He doesn’t remember, thank goodness. “Alright, alright, I’ll finish up.” Now that he wasn’t as stressed, his appetite was back quick as a flash. It really had been a while since he’d eaten.

As he lowered his head to shovel the cereal into his mouth, he thought he saw 2D hesitating a moment before leaving.

——

Ace took his bass out, and set to work tuning it. Looking around Altworks, the small studio they’d chosen, he wasn’t super impressed by the quality of the space; he supposed the one in LA had raised his standards. When he thought about it, he realized they hadn’t recorded since they stayed in Idaho, which was... wow, a while ago. Compared to the hastily-arranged makeshift studio there, this one was downright bougie.

His bass was a little out of tune, but it was easily corrected, and so he spent a few minutes just watching everyone in the room. Well, maybe one specific person more than the others, he thought pointedly.

2D was doing some last-minute scrawling on the tabs for each member as he sat at his keyboard, and Ace had to wonder what he’d come up with while he was recovering from his drugged haze. Probably something trippy. Ace had no idea how anyone’s brain worked on drugs, much less 2D’s. His brain is iffy at the best of times.

Eventually, the moment came, and 2D handed out all the sheets of music—well, Ace’s were shoved, more than handed. Typical. As usual, a pretty simple beat, with the notes ‘low and cut short’ scribbled at the top. Quickly, Ace picked an effect pedal he thought would work well, and hooked it up.

“Alright, let’s do this,” 2D said quietly. “One, two, one two three four.

“I'm on the high ridge looking down, while we're evolving in it all. If I get back then I'll be grateful... look, there's a billboard on the moon.”

Ace played along, paying close attention, but so far, it all seemed about as inane as 2D’s lyrics usually were. A billboard on the moon is pretty trippy.

“Let me take you this far, this crossing isn't much to me. There's lightning in the storm clouds, and I'll send you there to stay.”

He let himself get lost in the beat. It seemed melancholy, almost yearning, and Ace couldn’t help but wonder who this ‘you’ he was singing about was. And then, almost as though his mind were read—

“You got me lost in Magic City... you got me questioning it all.”

Ace felt a chill go up his spine at those words. Somewhere, he vaguely remembered having heard that being the nickname for Miami.

Is... is this about me?

Does he actually remember?

“I hope that I make it home by Wednesday... and this Magic City lets me go.”

Ace was playing in stunned thought silence, hands on autopilot as his mind raced during the post-chorus, a repetition of the words, ”Magic City”.

“You put me up here in the penthouse, and painted me in red, white, and blue. I filled the canyons with my ego... look, there’s a billboard on the moon...”

Penthouse. This was definitely about last night, and Ace started feeling ever so slowly sick to his stomach. And ego... was there some kind of ego in what happened? His big head causing him to make stupid mistakes?

Because it was a mistake. 2D would’ve never kissed him if he’d been in his right mind... right?

“You got me lost in Magic City... you got me questioning it all.”

Ace was certainly questioning a lot of things himself. Like his decision to get involved in this band. He’d had no idea the kind of baggage 2D would have, because obviously Murdoc hadn’t told him anything about it. Why would he? Murdoc wasn’t good for anything, apparently.

“I hope that I make it home by Wednesday... and this Magic City lets me... go.”

With a final chord, 2D lowered his hands from the keyboard, and the first thing he did was turn his head and give Ace the most unreadable look he’d ever seen. Was it expectant? Hopeful?

Ace didn’t care. He scoffed and looked away.

They practiced the song a few more times, each run feeling like torture to Ace. I wish this ‘Magic City’ would let me go. With each repetition, it sounded like 2D was getting more and more into the zone, singing his heart out and occasionally glancing over his shoulder as he did so.

Don’t make eye contact, don’t make eye contact.

He just focused hard on his part of the music, that at least was something he could control. He couldn’t change the past, and could barely make his way through the present, but bass was a constant in his recent life that made a lot of things better. If he couldn’t do that, then he would be really and truly lost.

Finally, a few of 2D’s words cut through his haze as they finished the song for the fourth time. “Alright, that’s a wrap. Good work, you lot.”

Ace heaved a huge sigh of relief, and then froze when he saw everyone look at him. He blushed bright green and mumbled, “Sorry... m’not feeling great right now.”

Noodle looked concerned, but she had a calculating stare in her eye. Russ, on the other hand, said, “Everything alright, man?”

Still blushing, Ace shrugged and made a beeline toward his case. “Stomach ache. Need to jet.”

“...alright? Feel better, I guess.”

2D called out to the group, “We’ll all meet in the car, then.”

Ace slammed his case shut, latched it, and ran to the door.

“...um, Ace, before you go?” 2D said, from right behind him.

Ace froze for a moment, but shook his head and said, “Can’t talk, can’t talk, bye!”

And he raced out toward the studio’s bathroom.

But once inside, he ignored the toilet completely and just stared at himself in the mirror, hands gripping the sink. You have to get it together. No one can know what happened. I should just forget it too.

His hands shook.

Please just let me forget it.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

Where do we go from here? Oh boy, just you wait. Next chapter's gonna be a doozy.

Chapter 18: Fire Flies

Summary:

“You’re nervous about something,” she said, not asking, but rather making a statement.

“Huh?” Ace said, trying to sound oblivious. “Whatcha mean?”

“You’re playing with all the little table holes like your life depends on it... either that or you’re pent up,” she said, finishing with a laugh.

Ace groaned. “Ugh, no... honestly the opposite.” He bit his lip, but finally managed to bring himself to speak. “So... about that conversation we had on the beach the other day. About 2D and Murdoc?”

--

Please check the tags for this chapter. I promise nothing serious happens, but I tagged for the 'absolute worst thing this could be conceived as’.

The days after recording ‘Magic City’ were unbearable. Ace couldn’t stop thinking about the night at the party, and 2D seemed to get moodier and mopier by the day. He was always sighing, and he had a constant frown on his face.

Ace was pretty sure his own expression was probably generally displeased. He just wanted to forget everything; he’d rather go back to 2D being rude than have to deal with this... weird tension between them.

Even their other bandmates were noticing it; Russel had pulled him aside one day after breakfast, before Ace could beeline to his room.

“Hey man, is everything okay? You and 2D are acting all weird... Did you guys have another fight?”

Ace sighed. “No, no... he’s just... listen Russ, I appreciate you askin’, bud, but I don’t really wanna talk about it.” He didn’t want to think about 2D, much less talk about him.

“Alright, dude,” Russel said, but he didn’t sound all that happy with Ace’s nonanswer. “Me and Noodle are here if you decide you need to talk.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that,” Ace said noncommittally, and made the aforementioned beeline to his room.

He was spending a lot of time in his room lately, considering his place in the band. It’s like no matter what happens, I’ll always be in Murdoc’s shadow, he thought, chewing the inside of his cheek agitatedly, especially since 2D will never see me as anyone other than just Murdoc 2.

Come to think of it, when is Murdoc’s sentence even over?

The thought of how easily he could be replaced, depending on how soon Murdoc got out of jail, didn’t sit all too well with him either.

Despite all of the drama, being in the band was the most fun he’d had in years. He’d been in and out of jails, wandering with no purpose and barely getting his hands on enough cash to keep his apartment.

Here, he was moonlighting in penthouses, eating well, and chilling with people he’d been the closest to, since the gang. He didn’t have to worry about money, or if he was going to be homeless in a fortnight.

The thought of going back to that lifestyle was not appealing.

It all pivoted on whether or not 2D wanted Murdoc back, and Ace didn’t like those odds. No matter how terrible he might have been, 2D seemed hooked. Should I give 2D another chance to prove me wrong?

He didn’t know. He honestly didn’t know.

He felt like Noodle might have answers. She’d been about to tell him the truth that day on the beach, that 2D and Murdoc had been an item. She’d also known 2D and Murdoc for way longer than Ace had—duh—and might be able to grant him some clarity.

Fine.

He texted Noodle:

• Hey, want to go out to lunch later? Just the two of us pals grabbin a sandwich?

• just the two of us? lol

• Yeah, like that first night

He waited a few minutes before finally getting a response back:

• k, I heard of a good bistro near here, we can leave in an hour

• Thanks Noodle, youre the best

• yeah I know haha

He stared at the screen, and absentmindedly bit his fingernails as he thought. How much could he tell Noodle without things getting weird? She was kinda raised by 2D, Murdoc, and Russ... would this be like telling her about her parents’ dirty laundry? ‘Oh yeah, sorry Noodle, but your sorta-dad tried to kiss me while he was under the influence.’

Yeah, no.

He was suddenly almost dreading going out, so it was surprising when the time seemed to fly by, and before he knew it, Noodle was knocking on his door. She poked her head in, asking, “You ready?”

“Pretty much,” Ace said, trying to sound enthusiastic. He took a quick second to comb his hair again in the small mirror above his dresser, making sure it was perfect. Noodle watched him with a small, amused smile that he could see through the reflection, and it took conscious effort not to roll his eyes. Wait a minute, I’m wearing shades... I can totally roll my eyes!

So he did.

“Done now, beauty queen?” Noodle quipped as Ace finally put his comb down and made his way toward the door.

“Listen, it takes effort to look this good,” he said smoothly, brushing past her and out the door. The two quickly made their way to the elevator, and they rode down in silence.

It was only once they were in the car, with Noodle driving and Ace riding shotgun, that she finally spoke again. “Feeling a little cabin fever-y, Ace?”

“Pshh, nah. I can leave whenever I want, y’know.”

“Which is why you’ve been hiding in your room for the past few days?”

“R-right, like I said, I can leave when I want. I just didn’t feel like leaving until now.”

“Enjoying a meal, just the two of us.” He could hear something in her voice, but he didn’t know if it was teasing, or doubtful.

“Like old times,” he repeated.

“Like old times,” she echoed.

When they finally made it to the bistro, they picked a table on the side of the restaurant, under a small steel picnic-style bench with an umbrella overhead to protect from the midday sun. The waiter came by with mason jars of water and took their orders—a bagel with spiced avocado for Noodle, and an open faced grilled cheese for Ace—before whisking away, and then the two were alone once more.

Noodle stared at him, but he found he couldn’t meet her eyes.

“You’re nervous about something,” she said, not asking, but rather making a statement.

“Huh?” Ace said, trying to sound oblivious. “Whatcha mean?”

“You’re playing with all the little table holes like your life depends on it... either that or you’re pent up,” she said, finishing with a laugh.

Ace groaned. “Ugh, no... honestly the opposite.” He bit his lip, but finally managed to bring himself to speak. “So... about that conversation we had on the beach the other day. About 2D and Murdoc?”

Noodle nodded, taking a sip of water and saying nothing.

“I... I guess I did figure it out. 2D and Murdoc were dating, weren’t they?”

“Yeah, I guess you could call it that. It was kinda weird, what they had going on.”

“Could you... not to be nosy, but could you tell me more about that?”

Noodle looked at him appraisingly. “I mean like, what are you wanting to hear? A sob story, a tabloid scoop, what? Because that’ll change what I tell you by a lot.”

“Just... the truth. It’s important to me.”

Noodle waited for a few moments, but Ace clammed up again. Now she looked quizzical. “... are you not gonna tell me why it’s important?”

Ace groaned, frustrated. “I don’t want to talk about it. Just... I’m not going to blab, or use it against you guys somehow. I just need to understand why... why 2D’s the way he is, capiche?”

Noodle rubbed her forehead and leaned back in her bench seat. “I mean, what I told you on that first night was all true, about how Murdoc and 2D met? I think maybe when 2D finally woke up after being comatose, he probably imprinted on Murdoc a little bit. Meanwhile Murdoc still resented having to take care of him for his public service, but also realized that he could use 2D to make him famous. He also said something about 2D being ‘tall and pretty’ once in an interview, if I remember that correctly. Otherwise, never heard him have too much good to say about 2D. Sometimes it seemed like they liked each other, crashing celeb parties and going to Jamaica, but... aside from that, add all of those together, and you get something pretty unhealthy.”

She took another sip of her water, and in the silence, the waiter came back with their food. Ace was too busy watching Noodle to care much about their lunch at this point. Noodle took a bite of her bagel, chewing contemplatively.

“Now, I was a little kid, so I don’t know much about what was going on in private. But even in public, Murdoc was pretty abusive to 2D, physically and verbally. The band even broke up for a little bit, but that was when things actually got worse. You wanted to know about Plastic Beach, right?”

When Ace nodded, she elaborated further, “2D didn’t come willingly. Murdoc literally kidnapped him and shipped him there in a suitcase. From what 2D’s told me, things were way worse on Plastic Beach than anything I’d ever seen before. Constantly afraid, beaten... Murdoc put him in a room underwater where he was constantly being terrorized by a whale... Not a good time. Probably there was even worse stuff that he didn’t want to tell me, but if he did, I’d believe whatever he said. I don’t blame him, either.”

Ace’s sandwich smelled amazing, but he didn’t have much of an appetite. “You’d think Murdoc being in jail is the best thing that could happen for him, then?”

Noodle looked thoughtful, but pained. “I mean, I thought that at first, but then you showed up and—no, let me finish, Ace—he seemed to get moodier. You’ve heard his music, it’s not cathartic for him anymore, like it was in the beginning.”

She sighed. “Murdoc helped raise me, sure, but all I want is for him to be gone long enough for 2D to heal... but even getting therapy, 2D seems like he’s only getting worse, and especially since that party a few nights ago, so... I told you what I know; now tell me what happened at the party, because you’re both acting really weird around each other now,” she said, punctuating her words with another bite of avocado bagel.

Ace sighed. He really did owe it to her, but how could he begin to explain? “Well, what happened was—”

Noodle’s phone went off.

Her brows quirked in annoyance, but she answered the phone. “Hey, Russ, what’s up?” There were a few moments of quiet before she said, “Again? And—like right now? We’re busy.” Another bit of silence. “Ugh, oh my god. He’s so impossible. Fine, we’ll head over.”

Noodle hung up and groaned. “2D took off to the studio and wants to record a new song, and he’s got all of our instruments hostage so basically we have to go if we want them and him back.”

Not a moment too soon, Ace thought, resisting a sigh of relief. “We better go then, I guess.”

“Yeah, and he’s already got demos of what he wants us to play, so I’ll send you the bassline and we’re supposed to listen to it on the way because he wants to record as soon as possible.”

Not. A. Moment. Too. Soon.

“But,” Noodle said, standing and grabbing her bagel, “As soon as we’re done recording, you better tell me the details.”

Ace stood as well, and shoved half of his now cold grilled cheese in his mouth to keep from speaking. “Mhphm.”

And leaving their money on the table, they went back to the car.

——

When they arrived at Altworks, everything was already set up, with their instruments already tuned and out of their cases. 2D was rushing around like a madman, making sure everything was perfect.

Ace had listened to the piano demo on his phone, and it sounded like another mopey one. He dug around in his pedals bag, which was fortunately also there, and dug out a specific effect pedal that would give it a heavy, almost melancholy wubbing sound. He didn’t feel too bad about that executive decision. If 2D threw a hissy fit, he could va fongool.

“Alright alright, no messin’. Let’s do this, yeah?”

Ace nodded cooly, slinging the strap of his bass over his shoulder and getting into position. Fortunately, he’d been getting so much practice done on his bass while playing with the band, he could basically play anything by ear, which was good since 2D had clearly been too manic to write tabs.

“One, two, one two three four.”

The song began with some echoing chords from the synths and Noodle’s guitar, but the melody came in wet and grungy once Ace rumbled out his notes. As apathetic as he was to 2D’s music at this point, when everything came together, Ace couldn’t help but rock his body to the beat.

“If you see me floatin’, too many times... my face will be painted, in these white brick lines. ‘Cuz all my fears invaded, all the crazies put on buses and sent up here to find you, living on the limits.”

Pretty nonsensical as usual, but right after that verse, all the instruments melded together into something almost symphonic, a kind of almost cosmic harmony, and for once, Ace found himself basking in the sound.

“And if you say goodbye, too many times... the sentinels will find me, and switch me off this time. ‘Cuz all my fears invaded, all the crazies put on buses and sent up here to find you, living on the limits.

"If all you ever get from the sonnet is the count of the fallen man... every calling cost made to your heart. You were in the kinda game that put the force in me... I was ever chasing fireflies...”

This was the sappy, sad romantic part. Or at least, he thought it couldn’t get any soggier.

“Sometimes I follow a firefly, he takes me into the night. Baby I just survive, I'm love drunk—I'm sorry, am I losing you?”

Nope. It just got soggier, especially as he repeated that verse with more emotion. Did he interpret Murdoc’s imprisonment as ‘losing’ him? How could he be love drunk with a man that terrible? Well, it was certainly a ‘drunken’ sentiment, lacking any reason whatsoever.

There was a final echo of the chorus, and the song slowed to a halt, a last few jittering, almost spacy notes closing things out with a small, wistful vocalization from 2D.

Ace looked around at the band, but everyone else was just staring at 2D, whose hands were still on the keys, ever so slightly raised like he was hesitant to do the final flourish of finishing the song.

Ace sighed. “So, uh... wanna try that again? For fun?”

2D slowly turned his head, and his expression was deep and searching, so much so that Ace couldn’t hold his gaze.

Still Ace soldiered on. “You know. Cuz we’re a band, and this is fun.”

Finally, out of the corner of Ace’s eye, he saw 2D nod. “Yeah... one more time.”

He almost sounded grateful.

As they played for the second time, Ace couldn’t help but notice that this time, 2D occasionally turned his head back as he played to glance at Ace. This time, as they played, it seemed like 2D was actually in a less mopey mood. It was just as sappy, but seemed more measured and sincere. He caught Noodle’s eye, and she smiled encouragingly at him.

That second time turned into a third, and then a fourth. By the time they felt all played out, they’d run the song around seven times. Ace no longer felt annoyed at the song, but he was getting tired. It was his turn to be grateful when 2D finally said, “Alright, that’s a wrap.”

Ace relaxed his stance, leaning back against the wall for just a moment. It wasn’t even that late in the day, but he felt sleepy, probably because of the subdued nature of the music.

As he moved to pack up his stuff, he saw 2D mumble something to Russel, who nodded and moved to talk to Noodle. Finally, Russel came to him. “2D wants us all to go out for drinks tonight, celebrate getting close to the end of the album."

“We’re close to the end of the album?” Ace said, surprised.

“Yeah, apparently. You wanna come with?”

Ace couldn’t help but notice that 2D was openly staring at him.

“No, sorry. You know the drill, I don’t drink.”

“You don’t have to drink. C’mon, just spend some time with the band, man.”

2D stared.

“No... no thanks. I’m tired. I’m gonna go back to the hotel and pass out, I think. You guys have fun, and when we wrap the album, I promise I’ll come with you guys.” He purposefully was no longer looking at 2D.

“Fine, up to you man,” Russel said with a shrug.

“Yeah, thanks. I’ll just take an Uber home. Call me if you guys get too drunk and need someone to hold your hair back, I guess.”

Russel laughed at that. “Sure, sure. Take it easy man.”

As Ace packed up, and moved to head out the door, he looked back one last time.

2D was still staring. But now, he looked heartbroken.

——

Back in the hotel room, Ace paced around, trying to figure out what the heck he wanted to do. Was he hungry, or more tired? The events of earlier in the day swirled through his head. He actually realized that he never really did mention what happened at the party with Noodle, and felt like he’d dodged a major bullet.

He eventually just settled on being tired, and he shucked off his clothes all the way down to his boxers—the hotel penthouse somehow did not have good air conditioning, but he still wanted to sleep with sheets on. He wasn’t a caveman, for crying out loud.

He crawled underneath said sheets, and he got cozy. For a minute, just a minute, he felt kind of guilty for not going with the gang. Then he remembered the way 2D had looked at him, and somehow felt even guiltier. Ace hadn’t really treated him poorly, but he hadn’t been very nice either.

He wondered if kindness would finally break the ice between them.

This is a problem for another day, he finally decided, and closed his eyes.

Time seemed to slow and blur, in the weird way that drowsiness takes you into a doze before the deeper sleep. He was warm and calm, soon to be completely gone.

Maybe that was why he was so slow to respond when his door opened in the middle of the night.

He was foggy in the head, and thought maybe he’d imagined it, but that was before whoever came into his room slowly crawled into his bed. Suddenly he was wide awake.

“What the heck??” He bolted up, but whoever was in his bed slung an arm around him, trying to pull him closer. They were slow and sluggish, but had a grip like a snake, practically coiling around him with their limbs. “Get off!”

But they were surprisingly strong, and in one fluid motion they rolled over… so that Ace was on top of them?

“...please...”

Ace froze.

“...please just be Murdoc...”

It was 2D. He was drunk.

“...jus.... jus for a few minutes...”

And now.

Ace.

Was.

Furious.

With strength he didn’t know he possessed, he shoved 2D out of his bed, sending him tumbling to the floor. “Oh my god, ENOUGH!”

“W-what?” 2D sounded more slightly lucid now, but still very confused.

“YOU. Do NOT get to treat me like this! NOT after everything you put me through.” Ace didn’t think he’d ever been so angry, but now he just leaned into it. He deserved it. “You’ve been spending all this time alienating me and making me feel like an outsider—well, news flash: I’ve been an outsider my whole dang life, so you can’t hurt me like that! But now, after all that? What ACTUALLY hurts the most is that you treated me like a punching bag, but all you really wanted was a… a rebound, or something!”

“I... I—”

“It’s always ‘Murdoc’, ‘Murdoc’, ‘MURDOC’, and you treat me like him, and now you want me to be him?? You come crawling into my bed, wanting me to do god knows WHAT to you, because that’s what Murdoc did?? No! I won’t ‘just be him’ for a night, I won’t be him ever! It’s just—this is just one too many times! Too many f-fu... too many friggin’ times!”

They stayed for a moment in an absurd silence, Ace glaring furiously and 2D seemingly too scared to move from the floor. Finally he spoke:

“I’m... I’m sor—”

Ace couldn’t care less. “Get out. Get out of my sight.”

And after a moment of dumbfounded staring, finally 2D staggered to his feet and hauled himself out of Ace’s room.

Ace was fuming, and as he slammed his door shut, he got the feeling that the adrenaline from that yelling, that so satisfying yelling, wouldn’t wear off any time that night. Whether or not sleep would come... that was another question entirely.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

How 'bout them apples.

Chapter 19: One Percent

Summary:

He stood in front of the mirror blearily, trying to get his bearings after that long night. Green skin. He’d never hated the sight of his reflection so much before.

--

Will there be a way to patch things up between Ace and 2D?

As the sun rose over the Miami skyline, Ace slammed a pillow over his head to keep the light out. He hadn’t gotten any more sleep, and his eyes were bloodshot and sensitive.

How could he have slept after what’d happened? He’d shivered through the whole night, trying to forget what had happened, forget the horror of someone getting in his bed, only for it to be a drunken 2D... begging him to be Murdoc.

It was enough to make Ace sick. He’d already stumbled to the bathroom right after the confrontation, nerves buzzing and stomach churning, but now he was running back again, crouching in front of the toilet bowl to lose the last of yesterday’s lunch.

He wiped his mouth and flushed the toilet, and stood in front of the mirror blearily, trying to get his bearings after that long night. Green skin. He’d never hated the sight of his reflection so much before.

But the truth was, aside from the color of his skin and hair, he literally looked nothing like Murdoc, at least in his own opinion. Longer, slicked back locks he took such care with, a long sharp nose instead of an ugly squashed one, and no weird eyes—not that anyone really saw his own. He took far more care in his dress than anything he’d ever seen Murdoc in. He didn’t need booze to have a good time, whereas Murdoc practically clung to the bottle.

He was far the superior of the two of them—and yet 2D only saw him as second-best.

Now he was feeling angry again, that hot fury he felt the night before. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair. He’d done everything right, and yet he would never be able to prove himself to 2D. And then there was another wave of anger, that he even felt he needed 2D’s approval. It was poisoned. This whole experience was just irreconcilably laced with pure poison.

But Ace wasn’t going to let that rule over him any more. There was no point in keeping quiet now. He was going to come clean to Noodle and Russ about this, because if anyone could kick 2D’s ass into gear, it would be them.

Of course, you could kick 2D’s butt too, the metaphorical demon on his shoulder said innocently. He hadn’t forgotten how to whoop major can since his youth. Just a thought.

Oh, how it was tempting.

But beating up on this jerk would sink you down to Murdoc’s level, said the angel counterpart on his other shoulder.

Ace grumbled under his breath. He never even used to have a shoulder angel. He had practically no conscience back in the old days, but now he was trying to be moral about things.

He rested his hand on the door knob, gathering his resolve. He would be the better person in all of this, because that was the culmination of his journey with the band. They had made him kinder, softened him in a way that was so unlike who he used to be. He owed it at least to Noodle and Russ to be civil about all of this.

He opened the door and stepped into the common area.

It was deserted, except for the couch, where 2D was sitting with his face in his hands.

Immediately Ace’s blood began to boil, but he took a deep breath and walked past him and toward the kitchenette.

“... Wait.”

Ace impulsively punched his fist into the wall he was walking by. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw 2D jump, and a darker part of him felt a small twinge of satisfaction. “I have nothing to say to you,” he all but spat out, “I’m looking for the others, so stay out of my way.”

“N…no.”

He ground his teeth and turned. “Or what? You going to crawl into my bed to do who knows what again?”

2D rose to his feet, but didn’t look Ace in the eye. “I... I know I have problems, and you... you don’t deserve to have that taken out on you, mate.”

“Dang right I don’t. Tell me something I don’t know, stupido.”

“Bloody alright. You don’t even half know how weird things were between Mudz and me. You couldn’t imagine it if you tried. And I still miss him, even after everything he’s done to me, and I wouldn’t be able to explain it, so you couldn’t even begin to try and figure it out.

“But... this has nothing to do with you. I know it’s not fair of me to do what I’ve done. I can understand that it’s my fault, and that you don’t deserve this. I’m... I’m really sorry.”

Ace put a hand on one of his hips. “Yeah, I don’t deserve this. I also don’t want to talk to you. I came out to find the others.”

“They’re still passed out. We... we all got pretty drunk last night.”

Ace rolled his eyes. “Oh, but you’re up?”

2D winced. “After we... after I... I couldn’t sleep.”

Ace reached his other hand reaching up to rub his forehead. “Yeah, that makes two of us.” He sighed. “Listen, after that stunt you pulled, I’ve just about lost all hope on having a good relationship with you. Cards on the table, you really frickin’ blew it.”

2D opened his mouth, but Ace growled and put his hand up. "Can it! Look man, just stay away from me! I'm an inch away from whooping your sorry butt, and it's taking all my restraint not to. If you say or do another stupid thing, I can't promise you'll walk away from it, and I don't want that to happen. Not for your sake, but mine."

2D winced, but stayed resolute. "I'm... I'm not gonna leave it like this! Ace... please." His voice broke. "Please let me make it up to you, I'm... I'm begging you."

Ace was angry. But... he heard the sincerity this time, for the first time in a while. It reminded him of how he'd needed another chance, badly, after messing up chance after chance in his youth. "Yeah, you're begging a lot lately," Ace grumbled, but he felt the fight going out of him. “But... even with every cruddy thing you’ve put me through... I still want you to be able to get out of this funk. I just... I can’t be your punching bag, therapist, or rebound.”

“Could… could you be a bandmate?” And suddenly, he sounded hopeful.

Ace raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?”

“I’m—we’re almost done with the album. Just two more songs, I think. Overall... this album has been kinda therapeutic to me. Do you... maybe want to help me write the last two? Get the rest of those bad feelings out so... we can move on?”

“You’re not really in a position to ask me favors, ‘mate’.”

2D did the weird head tilt that Ace had learned meant he was rolling his eyes. “Are you kidding? You know how many blokes would kill for a chance to collab on songwriting with me?”

Ace turned away. “God, you’re conceited. Guess fame really does go to people’s heads.”

“Look,” 2D said, and now his voice was laden with desperation, “I don’t know how else to make this work. I tried apologizing, I tried givin’ you a top opportunity, and you still don’t want to figure this out?”

“You can’t always fix things with an apology, especially when you’ve messed up so many times! And why should I believe this stuff won’t happen again? How do I know you’re serious?”

There was a moment of silence before 2D quietly said, “Because I don’t want to be as bad to you as Murdoc was to me.”

Ace blinked, looking back at him.

“Therapist said something about... ‘cycles of abuse’? Yeah, wanna stop that while I still can. My best chance to apologize was after the first time I was rude, but... second best is now. I’m gonna work hard, and change. Just... believe me?”

Ace bit his lip. “I mean...” That was certainly therapist lingo, so maybe he was paying attention? “Jeez...” he muttered, rubbing his head wearily. “Look, whatever happens, I’m not just forgiving you. That’s gonna take time to build.”

“But—”

“But,” Ace said, cutting him off, “I’ll help you with the songs, I guess. Give us a chance to bond,” he finished, giving a small, sardonic smile.

2D looked like he wanted to argue, but he just sighed and sat back in his chair. Ace moved and sat down in the chair opposite him. “And, goes without saying, of course, but I don’t want you touching me, or even being within like three feet of me for a long time.”

“Three whole feet, hm?”

Ace took a moment to look mockingly thoughtful. “I would’ve gone farther, maybe something like six feet, but that seems a bit much, even for me.”

“Ok, ok, let’s just get on with it.” 2D dug out his notebook and pencil from a bag next to the table, and flipped open to a page near the back. “So, gonna be real, I’ve only got the first couple of lines.”

“Mhm.”

2D ran his finger across the page, likely tracing the lines. “Every sound, every sound from every world received. Everyone, receiving you.” He plopped the book on the table and leaned back. “That’s it. That’s all I got.”

Ace scratched his head. “Seriously? Well, what are you trying to communicate with this song, for starters?”

“Like, a sense of unity. With the... the whole world? And it feels like a song where I just want its message to get out short and sweet.”

Ace pondered. “This feels kind of maybe like the main sentiment that can just be echoed over and over? But in maybe a slightly different way to keep it fresh. How about, ‘Anyone... not anyone of us who...’ uh...”

2D lit up. “From the world, to the people who are listening! The ones who‘ve found what they’re looking for, and it’s you?”

“Could we put a spin on that? ‘Not anyone of us who’s... in a search?’”

He nodded. “Has a good ring.”

Ace rapped his knuckles on the table. “And then maybe repeat the beginning line, but like, ‘Everyone’s receiving you.’ To relate the switch from a global view to the people who matter?”

2D nodded, jotting the lines down. “Two verses... I think we could make a bridge and call it a day?”

Ace frowned. “Just cut to the chase like that? You barely need me to write this thing, it’s so short.”

2D spluttered for a second, before tossing the notebook and pencil across the table at Ace. “Fine, you can write all of it if you want. Just don’t write ‘fuck you 2D’ or something, cuz I ain’t singing that.”

Giving a small smile, Ace said, “Cursing isn’t my thing, ya get me? I’d come up with a classier diss.”

“Sure, suuure.”

Ace leaned back in his chair, absentmindedly staring at the leaf of paper. He tapped the notebook with the pencil, and tried to conjure up what this song would mean for him. What’s my vision of unity?

Suddenly, he recalled the day they spent at the beach, everyone relaxing. He started to write, Down by the low tide, deep in the summer day, you are here with me.

He remembered having a civil, possibly even deep conversation with 2D. That’s where I heard you for myself, on the burning sands of a new world... Ace went to bite the pencil in concentration but stopped himself out of considerateness, before finishing, You heard it too.

Wordlessly, he passed it back to 2D, who scanned the page with a bemused look. “Is... heh, is this about that first day in Miami?”

“Perceptive,” Ace said, trying not to sound too sarcastic.

“Listen, I’m not as stupid as you think I am, Ace. I like this, but I gotta switch some things around. My songs don’t relate one-to-one with real life. There’s... ambiguousness, and shite like that.”

Ace scoffed. “Never took you for being pretentious.”

2D laughed. “You kiddin’ me? You ever listen to my verse in ‘Out of Body’? Journalists ask me what the lyrics mean, and I’m sitting there being all, ‘I was blasted on mandy when I came up with this, mate!’”

“...okay?”

“Oh yeah, you blokes call it something different here. Hell if I remember though.”

Ace raised his brows in bemusement. “…Right. So are you gonna change the lyrics or what?”

“Yeah, gimme a mo’.”

2D sat for a few minutes, looking over the sheet, then thinking, erasing, and then rewriting the few key bits he was insisting on.

“Right, how’s this?” he said, and Ace leaned in closer to listen. “‘Down by the low lake, deep in the summer day, I’ll be there with you. That’s where I heard it for myself, on the training ground for the new world. You heard it too.’”

Ace was a little underwhelmed. “It just feels like it’s lost some of its meaning now.”

2D shrugged. “Our little story of you joining isn’t for the public eye. It’s for those who’re gonna really listen, which is really just us, our band.”

Now Ace blinked. “Oddly poetic.”

“Right, which is why I’m hopin’ you’ll agree to the changes. I kept as much as I felt comfortable with. The same message is still in there, y’know.”

Ace sat back in his chair. “I... guess so? It does sound pretty nice, my original intent be darned. Just I feel like defeats the point of me writing the verse at all.”

“It’s a collab,” 2D restated. “We worked together to make it. This is partly your song now Ace, be proud or somethin’!”

Ace chuckled. “Never thought I’d hear you tell me I’ve got something to be proud of.”

“Well, I guess it’s about bloody time.”

“Yeah,” Ace mused, “I guess it is.”

——

It didn’t take too long for 2D to finish up the tabs for ‘One Percent’. Despite everything, Ace was pretty impressed at the rate at which 2D could scribble down notation. Before he knew it, the band was assembled and in the car, driving to the recording studio.

Noodle, sitting in the back with him, leaned over and whispered in his ear, “What was that shouting the other night? I definitely heard you shouting.”

“And you didn’t run to my aid? Noodle, I’m hurt,” Ace said dryly.

“I was too drunk to move, I wouldn’t’ve been able to help myself if I had to! But really, what was up?”

Ace sighed. “Yeah... just... had a bad wake-up call.”

“One of your old gang members rang you up?”

“Something like that.”

Now Noodle looked concerned. “You ok?”

Ace felt slightly bad for lying, but he didn’t have nearly enough energy to get into anything even remotely truthful. “I think so... it’ll take a while, but I’ll be fine.”

Noodle placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’re here for you, you know that, right Ace? You’re with us now. The past can’t hurt you anymore.”

Ace bit back a laugh, but he did sound sincere when he said, “Thanks, Noodle. I really appreciate that.”

Before long they pulled up to the studio, and grabbing their instruments, they headed inside. At this point, Ace was a pro at unpacking and warming up quickly before it was time to record.

“Ok, this is the penultimate, lads. One more and I’d say we wrap up the album!” 2D said, sitting at his keyboard and fanning out the sheet music in front of him.

Noodle and Russ let out a small cheer, and Ace joined in, trying not to sound too halfhearted.

“You lot know what to do. Let’s do this.”

Ace and Noodle got ready. Russel sat back, since this track didn’t have drums.

“One, two, one two three four.”

2D started playing quick, high-toned synth chords on his keyboard for a few measures, and then pressed a button on the keyboard, and suddenly the chords began to loop. Noodle began playing some light arpeggios.

As 2D began to sing, Ace strummed his first chord. “Every sound... Every sound from every world received.” Every other measure, Ace would play, letting 2D lead the music as he continued on softly.

It felt... different, hearing a song that he helped to write. Not to mention that it was kinda pretty.

Ace tried to ignore his feelings, which were previously all negative, but now felt slightly conflicted. He still felt angry, but this song... it eased things. Just a little.

He let himself space out, playing on autopilot, until he heard the bridge, the verse that they wrote together. 2D was singing beautifully and sincerely, and it calmed Ace, because 2D had been right.

He was proud of this song.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

Sorry for the delay! Since I’ve finished posting my other story, what would you think about me updating this story on Wednesdays instead of Saturdays, bc that’s normally when I’m travelling to see my gf?

Chapter 20: Souk Eye

Summary:

“Ok, so explain how that one is about moving on?”

This time, 2D shrugged. “I can’t just forget about him, he changed the course of me life! I’d still be workin’ in a piano store, instead of being the mega-famous bastard I am now. Would you forget someone like that?”

Ace grimaced. “I certainly try to.”

“Like who?”

Ace blinked. “What?”

2D persisted. “Like, who are you trying to forget?”

--

Things are wrapping up on the production of 'The Now Now'.

“So you wanted this song to be about LA?” Ace said, leaning back in his chair. “I gotta admit, I miss it too.”

“It ain’t so much about missing LA... when I got there for the first time, it was downright confusing. Overwhelming. Of course, that was just after Mudz got sent to jail, so it was weird being without him.”

“Oooh, okay. So this song is about him.” Ace said, his lip curling.

2D sighed. “This is about catharsis, mate! It’s about me wanting to be more healthy now, and not looking on the past with regret, alright? Besides, again, this is partially your song too, so you also get to put your thoughts in.”

“You sure about that 'no regrets' part, slick?” Ace said, leaning in and raising an eyebrow.

2D winced. “Listen, of course I regret that!”

“Just making sure you don’t forget what you almost did,” Ace sneered, before sitting back again. “But alright, alright, whaddaya got so far?”

2D looked down at the notebook. “LA, why you're so complicated for me, twilight? Waiting on the planet to turn to me, dark side. If loving you's a felony now, then I'm a renegade, riding.”

Ace thought for a minute. “This sounds sentimental, and that’s not what you’re going for... how about this next: ‘Tryin’ to find tomorrow ain’t easy...’ uh, ‘‘til you dive in.’ Showing that you’re thinking about moving on, but it’s hard.”

“That’s a good one,” 2D nodded, scribbling down. “Let’s go with that diving metaphor... something like, ‘Why you rolling waves over me, now,’ like just more of that ‘overwhelmed’ metaphor.”

Ace chuckled. “That’s just what you need, ain’t it?”

2D perked up, and said, “No wait, we can run with that. ‘Why you rolling waves over me, now, that’s all I need... dreaming?’”

“Like a bad dream?”

He shrugged. “Something like that. Uh... ‘waiting on LA to come find me...’”

“‘Be forgiven?’” Ace suggested.

2D blinked and said, “What d’you mean by that?”

Ace shifted in his chair. “Like, going back to where you began, and forgiving yourself for being all hung up on him.”

“I never said I’d do that,” 2D murmured, biting the end of his pencil in thought.

Rolling his eyes, Ace pushed, “C’mon man, be a normal dude and move on. Catharsis, remember?”

2D’s eyes widened. “Wait wait, that could be lyrics. ‘I’ll be a regular guy for you, I never said ‘do that’.’”

Ace snorted. “If you say so, boss.”

Lost in thought for a moment, 2D tapped the notebook with his pencil and looked off into the distance. Ace was about to wave a hand in front of 2D’s face when 2D looked at him and quietly said, “How ‘bout this for the next line, about Mudz, ‘Why you looking so beautiful to me now, when you so sad?’”

At that, Ace laughed. “You mean now that he’s moping in jail, he’s got extra appeal? You’re more messed up than I realized! What kind of weird sadistic thought is that?”

2D flushed red. “That’s not what I meant!”

“Well, what did you mean?”

“Just, that like, it gives him more depth. Murdoc doesn’t usually get sad, and seeing him like that, it humanizes him. At least to me.”

Ace shrugged it away. “Okay, okay. Well, we can cap that verse off there, I think.”

2D scribbled the line into his notebook. “Yeah, and for the chorus, I was thinking, ‘I will always think about you; that’s why I’m calling you back on my way through.’”

“Ok, so explain how that one is about moving on?”

This time, 2D shrugged. “I can’t just forget about him, he changed the course of me life! I’d still be workin’ in a piano store, instead of being the mega-famous bastard I am now. Would you forget someone like that?”

Ace grimaced. “I certainly try to.”

“Like who?”

Ace blinked. “What?”

2D persisted. “Like, who are you trying to forget?”

“That’s none of y—” Ace caught himself and sighed. “Y’know. My old gang. We spent our teenage years terrorizing Townsville, but when... ahem, when I wanted to go straight, the guys just didn’t understand. We... didn’t part on good terms. After... everything that happened, I wanted to get out of Townsville and leave my life behind, and that meant trying to forget about ‘em. Most of the time, I’m okay at it.”

2D looked at him searchingly. “What made you wanna give up your glam life of crime, anyway?”

“Uhhh, well... mostly, I was just tired of getting beaten up by those youthful vigilantes in town. It’s not super ‘glam’ if you’re spending your time split between jail and a literal dump. Because that’s where we lived.”

“D’you know what they’re up to these days?”

Ace shrugged. “No clue. I honestly don’t care, but I’m sure their effectiveness took a nosedive after they lost their brilliant leader.” He flashed a smile and struck a pose.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” 2D said, doing the head-tilt, but he did have a small smile. “Anyway, back to the song.”

“Aw, you don’t want me to brag about my life of poverty after I left? Or the times I spent in and out of jail?”

2D gave him a skeptical look and said, “Do you?”

“... you got me there, 2D. You got me there.”

“Yeah, I did. Anyway, how’s this for the next line: ‘I want to stay with you for a long time, I want to be—” But 2D mumbled the last bit, and Ace wasn’t certain of what he’d heard.

“What was that one? ‘I want to be stolen’?”

2D looked up sharply. “No, I said ‘stone, love.’ Don’t go putting words in my mouth, ey?”

Ace let out a laugh. “I dunno, sounded like it could be either one. What does ‘stone, love’ even mean?”

“Like, being solid and unmoved?”

Ace crossed his arms. “But once again, I ask: how is this about moving on? You’re literally calling him ‘love’.”

2D blustered, “Calling someone ‘love’ isn’t always romantic! Like how the ladies in restaurants here’ll call you ‘honey’!”

“Mhmmm. Okay, how about this for the next line: 'I want to see LA in your eyes when I’m...' hmm... ‘leaving with your love!' How about that? This way it’s as though you’re forcing him to see the growth you’ve gone through since you started, and now he’ll be chasing your heart?”

2D brightened. “Yeah yeah, that sounds good. And then, maybe back to the chorus again? But this time it’s, ‘That’s why I’m calling you back, cuz I gotta run soon’? Cuz I’m leaving LA, leaving the States?”

Ace did a double take. “You’re leaving?”

“Oh,” 2D said, sounding surprised, “You didn’t know? Since this is the last song, we’re heading back to Kong Studios to finish mastering the tracks there.”

Ace blinked. “No, I didn’t know. Wow. So when are you guys leaving?”

2D gave an uncertain smile. “‘We’. When are ‘we’ leaving, you mean? Me, Noodle, and Russ talked, and we want you to come with us, back to England. You’re part of the band!”

“But... what about Murdoc?”

2D’s grin became a little softer. “Who knows when Mudz is getting out of jail? Could be years! We don’t actually know why he’s in the slammer, believe it or not. None of us have bothered looking it up.”

Ace slowly began to smile as well. “Well, I’d love to come with all a' youse! It’d be my first time outside of the US. You can show me all your cruddy pub food.”

“It ain’t cruddy!”

“Sure it ain’t. Okay, wrapping this up: musical interlude, and then just repeat the original chorus?”

2D nodded. “Sounds good to me!” He finished scribbling in his notebook and then closed it with a triumphant clap. “I’ll finish up the tabs, and then we can record.”

He stuck his hand out. “Pleasure havin’ you write songs with me, Ace.”

Ace only hesitated for a moment, before shaking it. “Does this mean I can go back to hating you, now?”

2D spluttered.

——

Ace and Russel sat on the balcony of their hotel suite, sipping lemonade over a view of the coast, salty breeze in their faces.

“I’m gonna miss it here,” Ace sighed. “You don’t get views like this just anywhere.”

Russel nodded. “Yeah, Kong doesn’t have a nice shoreline right outside. But you’ll get used to it there soon enough, man.”

Ace scratched his brow, just behind his shades. “Where am I gonna be sleeping, anyway? If youse were gonna give me Murdoc’s old room, I’m gonna have to give you a firm, ‘no way, bub’.”

Russ laughed. “You kiddin’ me? We’d have to clean for years to get his stench out of that room, enough to make it breathable. Nah, you can couchsurf for a while until we clear some side room off for you.”

“Side room, eh? I feel honored.”

“It’s a big building, even the side rooms are pretty luxurious. You’ll be able to decorate as much as you want.”

Chuckling, Ace said, “It’s not like I’ve been able to cart a bunch of memorabilia around with me. What would I decorate it with?”

Russel shrugged and said, “You’ll be around for a while, you’ll have time to get your hands on a bunch of junk to plaster on the walls.”

“Aw, come on Russ!” Noodle chimed from behind him, making Ace jump. “You’ve got plenty of junk you could just give to Ace! Clear up some room.”

Russel’s bro furrowed. “It ain’t junk! There’s some museum-class taxidermy in there that I wouldn’t give away for nothin'!”

“Sure thing, Russ,” Noodle said, moving around them to sit on the armrest of Ace’s chair, “Keep all your treasures while Ace has bare walls in his new digs.”

Ace grinned. “Maybe I’ll start a collection of switchblades and hang ‘em on the wall.”

“A weapons' display would be great!” Noodle said with a thumbs up.

Russel suddenly looked curious, and sat up. “Say, where’s the switchblade you used to have with you? I haven’t seen it in a while.”

Ace slid his hand into his jacket and smoothly flipped out his switchblade. “I never stopped carrying it! Keep it in my jacket. What would I be without my switchblade?” A little more softly, he said, “I just... generally haven’t felt like I needed it in a while.”

“Well, glad to hear that, man,” Russel affirmed, leaning back again.

Noodle smiled outright. “Aw, it’s so sweet that you feel safe with us!”

Ace shrugged. “For the most part,” he said after a moment. “You guys are pretty much some of the nicest people I’ve hung around with in years.”

“Even 2D?” Noodle asked knowingly.

Ace suppressed a grimace and settled on, “Well, he came around eventually. I’m too charming for people to stay mad at, y’know? He can’t get enough of me, these days!”

“Full of yourself, ain’tcha?”

Ace jumped again, and the motion rocked the seat enough that Noodle stood up to avoid being tipped over. When he reached around with his switchblade, she cried, “Easy, Ace!”

2D walked around from behind him and crossed his arms. “It’s just your old mate 2D, innit? The one who can’t get enough of you? What do you got to be afraid of?”

“You know full well, you jerk,” Ace mumbled. “Don’t you sneak up on me like that when I got my blade out.” He closed the knife and put it back in his inner pocket.

2D shrugged. “Not the first time I’ve had a blade pointed at me. Anyway, finished up the tabs for the song, I say we go record now! Get things finally finished up!”

“Amazing, 2D!” Noodle squealed, and immediately headed back inside toward the suite’s door. “Let’s do this, guys!”

Russel and 2D followed her, and after taking a moment to breathe, Ace stood and followed, grumbling, “People should know not to sneak up on me. Could’ve... could've put a new pocket in ‘em...”

——

”I will always think about you,” 2D sang, really putting his higher register into the song, “That’s why I’m calling you back, ‘cuz I gotta run soon.”

He sounded lovesick, but there was a certain levity in his tone that made Ace wonder if this really was cathartic for him. Well, 2D, 1; Ace, 0.

The music picked up in the final interlude. Ace was playing extremely sparingly and lightly along with the music, strumming one string every three beats. It almost felt anticlimactic, but he was fine just listening to the song being recorded. After all, this song was partially his.

Finally, the lightest of all the lines sung. “I will always think about you, that’s why I’m calling you back, on my way through.”

The music began to close out, 2D humming quietly to the louder music as it rounded out with some marimba from Russel. Then, there was a few moments of silence before they pressed the button to stop recording.

Immediately, Noodle let out a whoop, and Russel and Ace joined in. “Yassss guys, we’re done!”

Russel grinned. “Good album, everybody.”

Ace smiled back. “Yeah. Think I really like this one.”

2D turned around in his seat, and said, “Couldn’t have done it without you.”

Ace chuckled, trying not to blush. “Was my pleasure, boss. Glad I could help!”

Noodle gave him finger guns. “And you’re gonna keep helping! There’s no escape now, Ace! Hey, speaking of ‘no escape’, you’re totally coming out with us tonight! You promised, remember?”

Ace did in fact remember that promise. “Yeah, I guess I roped myself into that, huh? Alright, but you know I will not be drinking, so don’t pester me about it, okay?”

Russel patted him on the shoulder. “We know, man. None of us are gonna pressure you.”

“No worries, none of us roll like that, Ace,” Noodle chimed in.

“We respect your boundaries, and all that,” 2D finished.

Ace almost choked. “Lotta nerve, coming from you.”

Noodle frowned. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing,” Ace said breezily. “Just joking around. Let’s go out! And hey, let’s make tonight a night to remember!”

And you know what? Ace really meant it.

He'd much prefer to have memories that were positive.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

Surprise! Since nobody commented about whether or not you wanted me to move updates to Wednesdays, I just made the executive decision. Chapters will now be coming out Wednesdays at 3:30 PM EST, and NOT on Saturdays.

I always thought 2D was saying "I want to be stolen," in Souk Eye, until when planning this fic I looked up the actual lyrics, lol.

Chapter 21: Final Mix

Summary:

“There they are!” A voice cried, and around the corner came a gaggle of reporters, rushing forward with open glee.

“Ah, bullocks,” 2D grumbled.

Suddenly they were surrounded by cameras and microphones. “Mr. 2D, we’re all buzzing to hear your new album, when will it be out?”

“Is it true your bandmate Murdoc is in jail?”

“Who’s this new handsome green fella with you?”

2D took a deep breath and suddenly put on a polite grin. “New album will be out in a few months, I s’pose. And yes, Murdoc is in jail, last we saw him. And this,” 2D said, putting an arm around Ace before suddenly noogying him and saying, “is Ace Copular, our new bassist!”

--

The gang returns to Europe!

Ace knocked on Noodle’s door. “C’mon Noodle, you up?”

“Blhrg...” came the disgruntled reply.

“Our flight leaves in three hours, are you even packed?”

“Crap,” Noodle muttered, and Ace heard her slink out of bed. “This is weird,” she said as she tromped around, rustling noises indicating she was grabbing clothes, “Normally I’m the one doing this to you.”

“Strange how things change,” Ace said with a grin. “I’m the only sober one here, so I gotta be responsible for youse.”

“Fiiiine, fine.”

And with that, Ace moved on to the next door. “Knock knock, Russel! Sun’s shining! You packed?”

“Mhm,” came the soft, sleepy reply, “Five more minutes...”

Ace stifled a laugh. “Nope, outta bed! We gotta get ready ASAP, fella!”

Russel groaned. “What’re you, my mom?”

“Nah, I’m not doting enough. If I was, I would give you five more minutes. Now get up!”

“God, fine. Take a chill pill, man.”

And finally, Ace got to the last door. He hesitated for only a moment before knocking, but the moment he did, the door opened, making Ace jump slightly.

2D looked out blearily, rubbing his temples. “Stop yellin’. We’ve all got hangovers, mate.”

Ace stepped back slightly. “Well, that’s you guys’ fault. I didn’t have a single drink, so I feel fine!”

2D grumbled. “Don’t flex your sober privilege on us, Ace.”

At that, Ace laughed. “What are you, a millenial?”

“Keepin’ hip with you kids and all that, innit? Now buzz off, we’re all getting ready.”

“I’m not a kid!” Ace said indignantly, but the door closed, and 2D was already back into the depths of his room.

Rolling his eyes, Ace strode back through the general area and into the kitchenette. I could make pancakes for them, he thought, and it made him grin.

Ace wasn’t much for cooking, but anyone could make pancakes, right? He started pulling ingredients out of the cupboards—they still had some leftover pantry basics from one time when Noodle had spent a long day making them all ramen from scratch to win a bet.

Flour, sugar, butter, milk—well, almond milk—and... crud, we don’t have any baking powder. Quickly browsing the internet, however, he saw a recipe for pancakes where the rising agent was beaten egg, and they did have eggs. That’ll do it.

He beat the eggs until pale and fluffy, and then set them aside. In another bowl, he mixed the rest of the ingredients together, and then... it said to ‘fold’ the eggs in? What does that mean? He just dolloped it in all at once and mixed it. Really though, what does that mean?

Another Google search later, he got his answer, but also realized he’d made a critical error. He hadn’t separated the yolks from the whites before mixing it into the batter. He couldn’t start over, because he’d used the last of the flour.

Stupido. Ah well, it won’t turn out terrible... right?

——

“Aw, c’mon Ace, at least you tried! That was sweet of you,” Noodle consoled Ace as they walked into the terminal.

Russel nodded, “They weren’t too bad either, man. Just, flat and really eggy.”

“My breakfast-making days are over,” Ace groaned. “I hope we all don’t get food poisoning while we’re on the plane.”

“Oh, c’mon, you’re acting like a sorry sod over nothing. Chin up, we’re going home!” 2D said, surprisingly brightly.

They checked their baggage, and the lady behind the counter peered at the four of them and said, “Hey, you guys look familiar... you’re that band, ‘The Gorillas”, right?”

Ace opened his mouth to speak, but 2D cut in. “Nah, just passing resemblance. We get that a lot.”

She looked at 2D’s passport suspiciously. “You’re from Britain and everything! You’re checking instruments in!”

“Yeah, but then the passport would say 2D on it, right? Mine is ‘Stuart Pot’.”

Noodle smiled charmingly. “Yeah, you’ve definitely got the wrong guy. Quite a compliment, though!”

The lady gave 2D one more glance-over, but shrugged and checked the rest of the group’s baggage in without comment. If she recognized Noodle and Russel’s names, she kept it to herself, and with Ace, she definitely didn’t recognize him.

They all moved on, riding down an escalator to security. “Guess you don’t want the attention?” Ace said, breaking the silence.

“Bloody hell no, not in an airport,” 2D said with a grimace, “Between the press and the travelers, we’d be absolutely mobbed.”

Ace nodded. “Yeah, I guess that makes sense. We wouldn’t be able to make it through the plane!”

They entered in a separate, more empty line when they came to security. “Wow, you guys got TSA pre-check and everything? Fancy.”

Russel shrugged. “Anything to streamline the process. We got the power to make it happen.”

Once past security—with only the brief snafu of the TSA having never seen a green guy like Ace, and asking some invasive questions—they all relaxed in the seats by the gate.

Ace looked 2D over. “Y’know, the blue hair and weird eyes is kind of a giveaway. You want to borrow my hoodie? Go incognito?”

2D laughed and said, “Thanks but no thanks, mate. You can keep that old thing.”

“Wow,” Ace said, half-mockingly offended, “This is vintage! I’ve had it for years!”

“Looks like it,” Noodle tittered, “Are all the new fancy clothes we bought for you packed away in your luggage?”

“Just wanted to be comfortable for the whole flight! It’s gonna take a dang long time to get there,” Ace said with a shrug, “Nothing wrong with that, capeesh?”

2D grinned. “No, nothing wrong, bruv, but—”

“There they are!” A voice cried, and around the corner came a gaggle of reporters, rushing forward with open glee.

“Ah, bullocks,” 2D grumbled.

Suddenly they were surrounded by cameras and microphones. “Mr. 2D, we’re all buzzing to hear your new album, when will it be out?”

“Is it true your bandmate Murdoc is in jail?”

“Who’s this new handsome green fella with you?”

2D took a deep breath and suddenly put on a polite grin. “New album will be out in a few months, I s’pose. And yes, Murdoc is in jail, last we saw him. And this,” 2D said, putting an arm around Ace before suddenly noogying him and saying, “is Ace Copular, our new bassist!”

“Ow, watch the hair, bub!”

“Mr. Copular, how did you come to join the band?” One reporter said, leaning in toward him.

“Oh, well, y’know,” Ace said, flicking out a comb to re-coiff his hair, “Initially it was just as a generous favor to ol’ Murdy, but these guys really grew on me, so I’m deciding to stay,” he said, flashing a devilish grin.

At that, the reporters immediately began clamoring again. “Is Murdoc out of Gorillaz for good?”

“Why is he in jail in the first place?”

“Give us the inside scoop on your life, Mr. Copular!”

Everyone in the group had a veneer of politeness on that boggled Ace. He wanted to preen in front of all this attention. This was such a surge of dopamine that he didn’t even feel overwhelmed. Finally, this was the fruit of his labor.

“Don’t know, don’t care, baby. He can stay gone! They have me now.”

As Ace was about to continue to rattle on, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that 2D whipped his head up, trying to peer past the crowd of reporters, his brow furrowed and an almost... concerned look on his face?

“You good, 2D?”

“Yeah... yeah. Just thought I saw something.”

The crowd went quiet, but in the awkward silence, they heard the announcement over the loudspeaker for first-class boarding to begin, and 2D grinned and clapped his hands together. “Well, that’s us, blokes. Thanks for coming out to talk to us!”

The journos were suddenly all chattering at once again, but Russel reached out and pushed through them, allowing the rest of the band to filter through behind him. The reporters followed like a pack of piranhas, but once they were on the jet bridge, the attendants blocked them from going any further.

As they sat in the luxurious first class seats, Ace poked 2D in the shoulder. “What did you see?”

“Huh? Oh... was probably nothing. I’m jumpy, y’know, and my eyesight ain’t very good. Seein’ things that aren’t really there.”

Ace bit his lip, but ended up shrugging and sitting back. “If you say so.”

He wasn’t too fussed. He was just ready to kick back and enjoy a long flight of snoozing.

——

Kong Studios—no, Studio 13, as Noodle had corrected him—was... a LOT bigger than Ace thought it would be. The statue that sat on top was imposing, to say the least.

“We’re gonna renovate it before the next album,” Russel said, seeing Ace’s expression, “Place is in a little need of cozy-fying.”

“Oh yeah?” Ace said vacantly, still looking up even as they entered the building. He then looked around and repeated, “Oh, yeah,” at the clean but mostly empty rooms. The ones that were occupied by more than one piece of furniture all had a layer of dust on them.

“So where am I staying?” Ace finally asked.

2D waved offhandedly. “There’s a big storage closet near my room that we can get set up for you. Shove the equipment out, and drag a sofa in.”

“Charming,” Ace half-grumbled. “You want to keep me in your sight so I don’t run around causing mayhem, huh?”

2D did the head-tilt. “God, it’s just the only free room near where the rest of us sleep. Not everything is centered on you, Paparazzi-Pet,” he said, tone joking.

“I’m not burnt out on attention yet. I could get used to that kind of living!” Ace protested.

Noodle giggled. “You’ll get there. It’s only a matter of time!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Ace said. “So, can we get on that whole couch thing? I’m exhausted.”

Russel raised an eyebrow. “You slept the whole flight!”

“Uh... heh, heard of jetlag, buddy?”

“Alright, alright. C’mon guys, help me with the sofa.”

——

Ace slept like the dead. When he was really tired, he just zonked out.

Which is why it was surprising that he heard 2D yell through his sleep haze.

Ace bolted upright so fast that he fell off the couch. The blanket slid down and pooled around him as he looked around in the dark. He grabbed his jacket and slung it on, and then picked up his phone. He flicked the phone’s flashlight on, and stumbled around strewn equipment to the door.

He peered out, but the halls were empty. The shout came from further down the hall, and Ace treaded lightly, trying not to make any noise. The door to what he presumed was 2D’s room was slightly ajar, and Ace knocked quietly. “You good, 2D?”

There was silence. Maybe Ace had just been having a weird dream, and imagined hearing 2D? He was about to knock again when he heard a quiet but sharp shushing noise.

“2D, what’s—” Ace poked his head through the door, and saw 2D sitting, half huddled with his covers pulled up to his terrified face; his hand was extended, his own phone light shining deeper into the gloom.

And in the beam of light... was...

“Murdoc?” Ace said, disbelieving what he was seeing. He was covered in ratty, second-hand clothing, rather than a prison uniform, and even from here, Ace could smell him, an awful, rank odor.

“Perfect,” Murdoc muttered under his breath, before giving Ace his trademark, sly grin, “Hey, old pal. I see the band brought you home with them. What a shame to make you travel all this way for nothing,” he said, tutting.

“What are you talking about?” Ace said, and he stepped into the room.

“Well, use your eyes, man! I’m back! Favor fulfilled, you can go home!”

Ace narrowed his eyes. “Uh, that's bull, buddy. You’re supposed to be in jail right now. D’you do a little prison bust?”

Murdoc straightened up, a cocky look on his face. “The system can’t keep me down for long, Ace. I was framed, anyway, you already knew that.”

Ace looked back at 2D, and saw that he was practically disappearing into the sheets. “You don’t seem to be wanted in here, Murdoc. What the hell are you thinking, sneaking in here in the dead of night like a burglar?”

“Well, as it would turn out, you get home late when you miss a flight. I had literally just landed in Miami when I saw the crowd of reporters following you lot around. Had to hop the next flight after yours to catch up!”

Ace frowned. “How did you know we were in Miami?”

Murdoc laughed, and with a sneer, he said, “You told me, remember? Thanks for that little tip.”

2D whipped his head around to stare at Ace. “You’ve been... talking to him? This whole time?”

Now Ace paled. “Not... not on purpose! I didn’t... I didn’t think he would follow us! You were supposed to be in prison!” He yelled.

Murdoc winced and shushed again. “Quiet down, mate. Don’t want to wake everyone up, do you?”

Stepping back toward the door, Ace raised his eyebrows. “Why? You worried your grand reunion won’t be received very well?”

“It’s—it’s supposed to be a surprise, you dullard! Let ‘em sleep. I just wanted to visit my good mate 2D, first.”

Ace looked back to 2D. “Good mate, huh? He doesn’t seem too happy to see you. I’m not surprised, after what I’ve learned you’ve done to the poor guy.” And Ace started getting angry. “He’s finally gotten over you, and now you just show up to scare him back into submission?”

“Gotten over me? Please, Ace, I’m a prize catch, and he knows it. Go on, tell him, 2D.”

2D cowered under his gaze, and whipped his head between Ace and Murdoc.

Murdoc stepped closer. “Tell him, 2D.”

Ace stepped closer as well, inching his free hand into his jacket.

“...No.” 2D said quietly.

Murdoc’s eyes widened in surprise. “What?”

“I... I loved you, yeah, but you don’t treat me right, and now I know... y-you don’t deserve me,” he said, more confident now.

Ace nodded approvingly, and then glared at Murdoc. “Get lost, ‘old pal’.”

Murdoc’s expression darkened. “Oh, I see how it is. You think you can replace me, huh? Take my band? Take 2D’s devotion to me for yourself? Well, I got news for you, Ace: this isn’t your story. If you won’t exit stage left, I’ll write you out myself!”

And he lunged toward Ace, and Ace pulled out his switchblade in the same beat, and struck out, the blade catching Murdoc’s arm as he steamrollered just past him, and he cried out in pain. “Why you little—”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw 2D was out of bed and edging toward the door.

He had to keep Murdoc distracted.

But… that’d be pretty fun, so… worked out for him.

“You gonna bring your fists to a knife fight, old man?” he goaded. “You can’t take me on.”

Murdoc spat at him, and wiped a trickle of blood off his arm. “Pshaw, I’m only getting warmed up.” He ran at Ace again. This time, though, Murdoc dodged just before Ace could swing, and he got in a punch to Ace’s jaw, sending him reeling to the side.

“Crud,” Ace muttered, tasting blood in his mouth.

“‘Crud’, he says,” Murdoc mocked. “Can’t curse like a real man?”

Ace gritted his teeth. “I don’t need to. I don’t have to curse, or drink, or be a jerkwad to be a real man. That’s only sadsacks like you, a last ditch attempt at looking powerful.”

Murdoc spread his arms. “I am powerful. I’ve made a deal with ol’ Lucifer himself, and you think you can face up to me?”

“You’re spewing garbage, Murdoc.” Ace straightened up, and this time, he ran at Murdoc.

But as he got in close, Murdoc kneed him in the gut, and when Ace doubled over with a gasp, he wrenched the switchblade out of his hand and tossed it aside with a laugh. But in that moment, Ace reached up and punched Murdoc in the nose. There was a cracking noise, and Murdoc screamed out, “Fuck, not again!”

“C’mon little fella. I don’t need a knife to take you down,” Ace crouched, and was ready to spring forward again when the light in the bedroom flicked on.

Both Murdoc and Ace turned back to the door, where alongside 2D, Noodle and Russel stood, jaws agape.

“Oh, uh...” Murdoc said thickly, wiping blood from his nose. “Hi, guys. I’m back!” He did weak jazz hands.

Noodle and Russel looked at each other, looked at Ace’s bleeding lip, and nodded, before striding toward Murdoc with lethal intent.

“Crap, crap, guys, it’s me! You’re—you’re not seriously going to—He hit me first!” Russel swung a fist at Murdoc, who dodged, backing up toward the window. “C’mon, c’mon guys, it’s your old pal Murdoc! Didn’t—didn’t you miss me?”

Noodle cracked her knuckles loudly, and now Murdoc was fully backed up against the glass.

He looked around panickedly at the three of them closing in on him. “This—this band is the one good thing that happened in my life! I won’t let you take this from me!”

Ace picked up his switchblade and advanced on Murdoc. “You sure about that, bud? Then stick around. After 2D crawled into my freakin’ bed asking for you, I pent up a lot of anger—that I can finally take out on you.”

“Wait, what?” Noodle suddenly said, sounding bewildered. “2D did what?”

Oh crud. Didn’t mean for that to slip out. Ace winced. “Oh, well, you know, it wasn’t a—“

There was the sound of a window opening, and they all looked to see Murdoc halfway over the ledge. “Mark my words, this isn’t over!” He cried.

Ace sneered, and was about to speak up, but it was 2D who got in the last word. “What you said about Ace, Murdoc? ‘It’s not your story’? Try that again, but this time, about you.”

Fear and anger in his eyes—and maybe, just maybe a little bit of heartbreak—Murdoc turned, and jumped out the window.

All three of them rushed to the sill, only to see Murdoc land on a fire escape ladder below and swing down, before making it to ground level, looking at them one last time, and he flipped a double bird before running out of sight.

They all stood in silence for a moment before Russel broke it with a concerned, “So… what were you saying 2D did?”

“Oh brother,” Ace sighed, rubbing his forehead. This would take a lot of careful explaining.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

It all finally comes together. Just two chapters left, everyone! Hope you've enjoyed the ride so far :)

Chapter 22: Pre-Release Review

Summary:

Ace shied away under the intensity. “It’s—it’s really not that big of a deal, guys. Like, I’m basically over it!”

Russel crossed his arms. “From the beginning, man. You can do it.”

Ace sighed. “Sooooooo... ugh, man, where do I even start? Do I have to tell you about my ‘troubled childhood’? That’s a thing people do at shrinks, right?”

Polly just kept smiling. “You don’t have to, and at least not right now. But, should you choose to come back again, we can talk more about that then. For now, I think everyone wants to hear what’s been happening recently.”

--

Ace gets the therapy he needs, in the aftermath of his little slip of the truth.

“So, this is the Ace I’ve heard so much about, eh?”

Ace tried not to fidget on the couch. “Uh, yeah, hi. Nice to meet ya, shrink.”

“Dr. Polly Graves, but you can just call me Polly,” the therapist said with a smile. “Noodle called me and said you all had something urgent to talk about?”

“You can say that,” Noodle said, hands clasped in her lap as she stared unrelentingly at 2D, who in turn was staring resolutely at the floor. “Go on, Ace, tell her what you told us.”

Ace shied away under the intensity. “It’s—it’s really not that big of a deal, guys. Like, I’m basically over it!”

Russel crossed his arms. “From the beginning, man. You can do it.”

Ace sighed. “Sooooooo... ugh, man, where do I even start? Do I have to tell you about my ‘troubled childhood’? That’s a thing people do at shrinks, right?”

Polly just kept smiling. “You don’t have to, and at least not right now. Besides, my children were quite enamored with your show growing up, and I sat in on more than a few episodes. But, should you choose to come back again, we can talk more about that then. For now, I think everyone wants to hear what’s been happening recently.”

Ace bit his lip. “It’s just... god, it’s so awkward. I don’t like feeling the way I feel when I talk about it, y’know.”

Polly tilted her head. “And how do you feel?”

Ace scowled. “I told you, ‘awkward’. What, you want me to say something like ‘vulnerable’? Is that it?”

“Ughhh,” Noodle groaned, “she’s not ‘expecting’ anything, Ace. She’s a therapist! You just need to tell her the truth.”

Ace sighed. “Okay, okay. Fine. Okay. So, 2D has spent the whole time I was here treating me like garbage, just because I’m a green bad boy like his ex, Murdoc.”

2D opened his mouth to speak, and Ace was about to tell him to be quiet when Polly put her hand up. “Let Ace finish, 2D.”

His annoyance diminished, Ace said, “Uh, thanks. So, one night at a party, I found 2D totally bonkers on drugs, and when I took him out for some air, he thought I was Murdoc and... k-kissed my neck.”

2D winced, and Ace whipped around to look at him, pointing an accusatory finger at him. “I knew it, I knew you remembered! Why the heck didn’t you apologize?”

“I was going to ask you about it, you arse, right after we finished recording 'Magic City’! I tried, but then you bloody ran off to the toilet, and I never got another chance!” 2D said indignantly. Then, quietly, he added, “Besides, I... didn’t remember what happened after that... for all I knew, you liked it!”

“Oh, you don’t remember me pushing you off and running away? After seeing you cowering on the floor like you expected me to beat you to a pulp? Like he did?” Ace bit out. “What do you think that does to a man?”

“What did it do?” Noodle supplied, and Polly nodded at her.

Ace grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled at it frustratedly before stopping himself and flushing bright green. “It—it felt disgusting! I hated it! I don’t like all that stuff, and worse, because 2D thought I was Murdoc, it made me realize how awful Murdoc was to 2D! And then... then...”

“Then?” Polly asked.

“...it... it made me feel like I couldn’t be mad at him. Because he suffered so much already. I still feel like that, even now, after...”

Ace looked at 2D, who put his head in his hands. “Just bloody say it.”

“After he crawled into my bed blind drunk, f-flipped me on top of him and asked me to be Murdoc!” Ace finally shouted. “I was so scared, and then so angry, I didn’t feel in control of myself for a second, and... 2D, it’s a miracle I didn’t have my switchblade nearby, or I might’ve gutted you!”

He expected 2D to be shocked, or try to defend himself, but he only hung his head. “I would’ve deserved it. I know I’ve been awful to you, and I’m really, really sorry, Ace! But after all this,” he said, waving his hand to indicate recent events, “I don’t feel the way I did as much anymore. You helped save me from Murdoc, Ace!”

“You can’t just make everything better with an apology! It doesn’t change the things you did. I mean, god knows it probably wouldn’t work for me with the stunts I pulled back in the day, either!” Ace hissed.

Tilting her head, Polly asked, “Do you want to? Have you tried?” She put her clipboard in her lap. “It’s completely reasonable to not forgive someone who hurt you, but this seems to be about more than just 2D at this point.”

“I... I just don’t want to be angry, I don’t want to hurt anyone! I’m done with that. Pain on pain on pain only makes things worse, I know that for a fact! That’s... that’s why I’ve been letting all this slide until now. Because the last time I got that angry... I...”

He stopped, choked up. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Russel put a hand on his shoulder. “We’re not gonna judge you, Ace. Just tell us.”

Ace put his head in his hands, as though muffling his words would lessen the blows to come. “When... when I left the gang, left Townsville, it wasn’t all just because I wanted to go straight. That final night, I got into a really bad argument with Snake, because he had a crush on me, and I didn’t feel the same. And he said if I wasn’t ‘man enough’ to... take him, then maybe he should take over. The boys all sided with Snake, and when they ganged up on me... I ended up... stabbing Snake.”

“Woah,” Noodle said, tentatively reaching a compassionate hand out before pulling back at his anguish.

Ace shook his head wearily. “I just felt so betrayed that I saw red, and when I realized what happened, I ran. I don’t even know if Snake lived or not after that. But I promised myself I’d never get that angry again.”

Russel let out a low whistle. “Damn, man. And then 2D tested you, huh?”

“Yeah! And over romance, again! It’s never done a single good thing for me, not with the gang, or any of the girls I’ve met, or 2D. And I never even liked it before all that happened! I just... I don’t get why everyone wants me so much.” Ace slumped. “Not a single good thing about me.”

Polly scribbled something down on her clipboard. “Do you find that you have trouble with self confidence, Ace?”

“Only when I get like this,” Ace mumbled. “On a good day, I’m bright as the sun, nothing can take me down. But then something bad happens, and suddenly I can’t see why people bother with me. I’ve been a no-good let-down my whole life. Like... like only bad things happen around me.”

“Oh, Ace,” Noodle said sympathetically, this time actually putting her hand over his, “You know that’s not true! We all—well, most of us—have had such a great time having you around! You’re funny, and talented, and a good guy.”

Ace shook his head. “It doesn’t matter if it’s true. As long as I have something staring me in the face reminding me of what a horrible person I am, how I failed my friends and couldn’t be what everyone wants me to be... it’ll be the only thing I think about in moments like this. I just want it to stop!”

Polly nodded. “It seems like you chase after the approval of others, after a series of ‘disappointments’ in your youth. This is an extremely common problem that people from troubled homes experience, Ace. You need to focus on accumulating a sense of self worth, in order to block out the desire to please others at detriment to yourself.”

“But it doesn’t matter how hard I try if he’s there,” Ace said, throwing off Noodle’s hand to point at 2D again, “Constantly reminding me of how I’m just a replacement, and even then, he hates me! I’m not the problem, 2D is!”

Noodle bit her lip. “I mean, it kinda seems like you both have a lot of stuff to work through. You left Townsville behind, but did you ever actually try to talk to anyone about this, or even make sense of all that horrible stuff that happened when you left?”

Ace shook his head. “Who’d want to hear about that, and hear it from me, no less?”

“We do,” Russel said. “We want to be here for you, Ace. You lived for years in a horrible situation, did what you had to so you could keep going, and then acted in self-defense, man.”

Polly tapped her pen on her clipboard. “In order to start dealing with your emotions toward 2D, you’re going to have to start making sense of the past, and forgiving yourself for the things you did in ‘survival mode’.”

Ace gave a small, incredulous snort. “Survival mode?”

“In times of trauma, we don’t always have long-term plans. Survival mode is when you take every action you can to survive one day at a time, no matter the price,” Polly said. She paused, and then asked, “What happened after you left Townsville? Did you have any plans beyond making it to the next dawn?”

Ace thought for a minute, and then shrugged. “I mean, I didn’t have any schooling, any job experience, or even any money. Within the first fortnight of leaving, I was already in jail again. This time though, I didn’t have my gang to bust me out, and so I served my sentence, was dumped on the streets, and basically repeated the whole cycle again. It... it really stunk.

“When I was in a prison called Grimway Holding Center, a more rehabilitation-type deal, I met Murdoc, and he was basically the first person who even noticed me, beyond the green skin. If he hadn’t taught me bass, I wouldn’t have been able to start supporting myself on the streets by busking. Which makes all of this even more terrible, because now I really just... hate him. I owe him a lot, but he’s just made everything worse.”

There was a silence for a moment, before 2D started chuckling.

“What?” Ace snapped.

“It’s just... yeah, I can relate to that,” 2D said, grinning a little.

Ace blinked, and then let out a small, surprised laugh. “Yeah, ha. Guess we have that in common.”

Polly smiled, shaking her head. “That’s a good place to start, although I’d be remiss to not say that it’s better to bond over positive emotions than negative ones.”

“Eh,” Ace said, “I’ll take what I can get with this joker.” He bit his lip pensively, and then spoke, “But yeah, I guess I see what you were saying about ‘survival mode’. Ever since I’ve been with the band, I haven’t had to worry about where my next meal would come from, or if I had enough money to pay rent. Back then, that was all that was on my mind. I didn’t have time to think about all that messed up stuff. If I had... I don’t think I’d’ve been in the right mindset to deal with it ‘healthily’.”

“Well,” Polly said, tapping her pencil on her clipboard, “This will be the perfect place to work through it all. But again, looping back to the present, I want to know if you’ll feel safe in between sessions, given what you went through with 2D.”

Noodle fidgeted with her hands. “We all talked, and we decided that you wanted to live somewhere else for a bit, we’d be happy to put you up in a nice hotel or something.”

“Yeah, I’d understand,” 2D said, scratching his neck awkwardly, “Y’know, if you needed space.”

Ace took in a deep breath. “I... I wanna stay with you guys, and as long as we can set some boundaries, like maybe a lock on my door, I’ll be fine.”

“You sure?” 2D said, sounding surprised. “I mean, yeah, that’s fine with me too, but... I’d thought you’d be glad to be rid of me for a bit.”

Ace shrugged. “I think I’ve realized that running from my problems doesn’t work. And even between sessions, you and I can try to work stuff out. I’ve basically been shoving my feelings aside to keep a sense of unity in the band, and I don’t want to do that anymore. But... I feel like maybe if we keep talking, we can come to some sort of... understanding? We don’t have to like each other, but we can at least be in the same room without being at each other’s throats?”

2D blinked, and then slowly nodded. “Yeah, I think we can manage that. Sounds good to me, mate.”

Polly smiled at the whole group. “I think we can make some real progress here. The four of you—yes, all four of you—care about each other, to varied but genuine degrees. Together, you can overcome any boundaries with a little bit of hard work. I’m here to help.”

Her watch started beeping, and she took a moment to check it. “Well, that’s all the time we have today, I’m afraid.”

“What?” Ace said, flummoxed. “That wasn’t even like, ten minutes!”

She shrugged apologetically. “This was an emergency meeting scheduled at the last minute, and I had to fit you in between patients. I have staunch rules about appointment scheduling, no matter how rich my clients are. But in the future, we’ll have a full 50 minutes of time to work things out.”

“Wow. Okay,” Ace said hesitantly.

“I mean, we covered a lot!” Noodle said, standing and putting her hand back on his to pull him up. “We can see her again next week. And we worked out where you’re staying, and a plan to keep going.”

“I guess, yeah. Good enough for now, at any rate. So, uh, bye, Polly. Thanks.”

And Polly waved them out the door.

Ace wiped his brow. “That was... emotionally draining.”

Russel clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Feelings always are, man. But hey, why don’t we go get some fast food on the way back to the studio? I bet you’re hungry after all this.”

Ace smiled—it was small, and tentative, but a smile nonetheless—and said, “You know me too well, buddy. And I could always go for a burger. Sure, then.”

Maybe things would start getting better. At least, they were on track to it.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter! It lets me know you’re still interested in the story and encourages me to keep posting chapters! You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatileSoloist-ao3 -- I have WIP screenshots for all of the future chapters of this story on there!

One chapter left! Are you excited to see how it ends? :D

Chapter 23: Release Date

Summary:

Ace nodded, “Oooh, okay. I mean, though, the band did end up being famous. Are we gonna fade into obscurity with Murdoc gone?”

Russel shrugged. “I don’t think so. We’ve got big plans to keep people interested in us for our next album.”

Ace leaned in with an, “Ooooh, do tell!”

Noodle ate another bite of her toast before saying, “I’ve been looking around at the state of the world, and climate change is killing everything. So... I want us to build a cool machine that’ll show us the world before it’s gone, and maybe make some killer music in the process!”

—

In which things wrap up!

“Hey, guys, check this out!” Noodle said, putting down her toast to scroll on her phone. Out loud, she read, “Ex-Bassist For Band Gorillaz Arrested In West London!”

“They found him?” Ace said incredulously, fork clattering out of his hand and sending bits of egg flying. “It’s been three weeks!”

Noodle nodded. “Yeah, it says they caught him harassing someone for cigarettes, and when it escalated, they took him in, and then found out about his criminal record. And look, ‘Murdoc Niccals has been transferred to the Brighter Minds Center for rehabilitation’.”

Russel nodded coolly. “Looks like they listened to your request, 2D. Instead of hauling him back to jail.”

“Yeah,” 2D said quietly, expression shocked. “Hope it’ll stick.”

Therapy aside, 2D hadn’t completely recovered yet from the scare he got the night Murdoc broke in. He’d been far more subdued and jumpy since then.

Noodle tried to lighten the mood. “Yeah, maybe they’ll teach him how to act like a human this time!”

Ace held back a snicker as he said, “He’s green, how human could he be?”

At that, Noodle burst into laughter, and Russel chuckled. Even 2D cracked a small smile at the tongue-in-cheek self-dig.

“Anyway,” Ace said, “all youse don’t need him anymore! You have me,” he purred, placing a hand on his chest. “Much more of an upside, in my opinion!”

“Look,” Noodle said, pressing her palms together in front of her, “If you’re gonna replace him, then I’ll say to you what I said to Murdoc: I am not gonna be calling you Dad!”

Ace laughed outright at that, before waving his hands in front of them. “Dooon’t worry, Noodle, had no plans for that. We’re the spring chickens of the band, ain’t we? I prefer you as a friend.”

Noodle giggled and did finger guns at Ace, which he gladly returned.

But in all of this, 2D still sat solemnly, slowly lifting one bite of cereal from his bowl after another, and eating it like someone had just told him his grandma passed away.

“Look, 2D,” Ace finally said, “You went through a lot, and now you’re finally getting some justice! Doesn’t that make you happy?”

2D shrugged, looking out the window. “It was just... a harsh reminder of how things were, y’know? How’d you feel if your worst nightmare appeared in your room at 3 AM?”

“Alright, I’ll give you that one,” Ace acquiesced. “It’s gonna take time, I know. But we’re all here for you, right?”

Noodle and Russel raised their cups of tea in solidarity.

“It’s only going to go up from here,” Russel said, and then munched on a piece of bacon.

Noodle grinned. “And when they can reintroduce him to society, he’ll be a much better person from it all... assuming he doesn’t ‘imprint’ on his handlers!”

Ace did snicker this time. “Now you’re the one talking about him like he’s not human!”

Noodle rolled her eyes. “It’s a metaphor, Ace! Look, he’s not a monster, but he’s also not the greatest parent-figure, either. He did help raise me, so yeah, I want him to get better, but I’m also gonna hella poke fun at him!”

Shrugging, Ace said, “Fair enough. But I didn’t even have parents, so I can’t really relate.”

Russel looked at him curiously. “Where do you really come from, Ace? If you don’t mind me asking? You didn’t talk about that in the meeting.”

Ace huffed a sigh. “I mean, I didn’t lie about where I came from. I was born—well, made—in Townsville, created in a lab with the rest of my gang. To the best of my knowledge, they were experimenting on making new kinds of humans, superior kinds, but they messed up and got us. We spent our childhoods in that lab before finally getting fed up and busting out.”

“Heyyy, lab bros!” Noodle said, affectionately punching him in the arm.

“What? Really?” Ace said, surprised.

Noodle nodded. “I can relate. Was supposed to be a superhuman weapon too!”

“Huh, small world,” Ace marveled.

“Wow,” 2D said, suddenly seeming more interested in the conversation. “And that’s why you look the way you do?” He asked, before lifting up his cup to take a long sip.

“Well, it was clearly some kind of mutation, I guess. But it’s not like we got superpowers, unfortunately.”

Ace paused, and then asked, “Say, why is Murdoc green?”

Noodle shrugged. “He actually used to be more tan-brown, and then over time he just started turning greener and greener.”

“Ew, he was molding?”

2D actually choked out a laugh at that, nearly spraying tea across the table, and he put a hand to his face, chuckling when he got his breath back.

Ace couldn’t help but grin either. “Also, he mentioned something about a deal with the devil? What’s up with that?”

“Oh, yeah,” Russel said, “He’s a Satanist. Said he sold his soul to make a famous band.”

Ace blinked. “So all those pentagrams and goth getup wasn’t just for show?”

Noodle shook her head, “Nah, he was really into it. You know, he even had a red eye at one point. Not like pink-eye, like the actual iris was red. It was weird, but I was young, so I didn’t think about it much.”

With a long whistle, Ace said, “Yeah, I remember that! That’s strange as all heck. I mean, I guess if there are people out there with superpowers, it isn’t too hard to believe that the devil exists? I mean, we had one in Townsville, but I always thought he was just a weirdo.”

2D shrugged. “I don’t know, mate. Could just be an excuse for the way that he acted.”

“What, like he was possessed?”

Shaking his head, he continued, “No, no. Just like, ‘I made a deal with ol’ Lucifer so now I can act like an arsehole’.”

Ace nodded, “Oooh, okay. I mean, though, the band did end up being famous. Are we gonna fade into obscurity with Murdoc gone?”

Russel shrugged. “I don’t think so. We’ve got big plans to keep people interested in us for our next album.”

Ace leaned in with an, “Ooooh, do tell!”

Noodle ate another bite of her toast before saying, “I’ve been looking around at the state of the world, and climate change is killing everything. So... I want us to build a cool machine that’ll show us the world before it’s gone, and maybe make some killer music in the process!”

2D nodded. “We still have to get the parts for it, and that’ll take a little bit, but once we’ve got ‘em it shouldn’t take too long.”

Ace was baffled. “How is it going to take you around the world?”

Noodle wiggled her fingers. “Magic!”

“Ah, okay. That explains everything.”

Russel chuckled. “Just go with the flow.”

Ace raised his eyebrows. “Oh, I’m totally chill, buddy! I’m just trying to get in your headspace for this next album.”

“Well,” 2D said, “The next album’s a ways off, ‘cuz we still have to release this one. And then there’ll be tours and concerts and merch and all that.”

Ace nodded quickly. “Yeah, I forgot about all that jazz. That’ll be an experience!”

Noodle looked at him slyly. “You get stage fright at all, Ace?”

“What? No way, Ace Copular is as cool as ice, pal.” He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed behind his head. “Ain’t nothing that can razzle me.”

Something nudged the leg of his chair, and it rocked backward, and Ace yelped and had to flail to not fall over.

“No, nothing can ‘razzle’ you,” 2D said, a small grin on his face as he pulled back his foot.

Ace scoffed. “Real mature. Aren’t we supposed to be friends now?”

2D blinked. “I... I guess, yeah. You see me as a friend?”

Shrugging, Ace said, “Well, after what happened, I’m still a little mad, but I can deal with that while we work things out. We’re turning over a new leaf! This’ll be the beginning of a long and glorious friendship, I’m sure.”

“Yeah,” 2D said, a little more certain of himself this time, “That’d be nice, I reckon.”

Ace grinned. “You bet on it, baby! This’ll be the beginning of a new chapter in our lives, I can just feel it.”

——

Ace stared out at the West London skyline. England was different from the States in a lot of ways, but the smog and the city views reminded him of home.

Aside from the pollution, though, the roof of Studio 13 was pretty pleasant. A collection of plants bloomed amongst the concrete, lending a floral fragrance that cut through the acrid city stench. And from here, he could smell rain on the way.

Then, from behind him, a voice said, “Well, what’s all this, then?”

Ace had to fight not to jump, but his nerves were getting calmer by the day. He turned and saw 2D standing in the doorway back to the top floor, looking at him with an unreadable expression. Ace shrugged and said, “It’s just nice up here. I’ve never seen a rooftop garden before.”

2D nodded. “It is nice, innit?” And he walked forward to sit on a ledge several feet away from Ace, also staring out.

Ace tried to go back to car-watching, but he couldn’t help but be distracted. “What’s up, 2D?”

There was a brief silence, and then, “I just... wanted to thank you. For coming to help, encouraging me to stick up for myself when Murdoc was here. I’m sure after everything, the last place you wanted to be was my bedroom.”

Ace winced. “Don’t put too much thought into it, y’know? I was only thinking about helping you, everything else didn’t matter in the moment.”

2D nodded slowly. “I just... I feel like I owe you one.”

“You already wrote the two songs with me.”

“No, more than that. I made your life miserable for so long, and for the most part, you haven’t done too much back.” He paused for a moment with a quiet laugh. “Y’know that thing siblings do, where one of them hits the other kid, and he starts crying, and the kid who hit ‘em is like ‘if you don’t tell mum, you can hit me back?’”

Ace rolled his eyes. “Well I’m not gonna hit you, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“No, no, I’ve had enough of that for a lifetime,” 2D quickly said, but he continued, “It’s just... you amaze me, Ace. Have you already found some sort of catharsis or something? ‘Cuz I haven’t done a whole lot to make it up to you.”

Ace stared out at the city and sighed. “Listen, I had enough of violence and anger and all that by the time I moved out of Townsville. Y’know, me and the gang did lots of stuff like your ‘sibling’ metaphor, but except we didn’t have a mom to tattle on each other to. You just got hit and hit back and so it went on and on. I did plenty of terrible things back then. Being with the band... it’s like a real new leaf. I don’t have to solve things by being angry anymore.”

“But... you’re allowed to feel mad!”

“Oh, believe me, I know that. But it doesn’t... fix anything, you know? I know there’s a time for anger, and then a time to act." He paused to chuckle. "Of course, you already know all of this from what I talked about in therapy.” Ace looked back at 2D. “That night, you just really... took me by surprise, and it was reflexive. That’s the kind of Ace I don’t like being.”

2D lowered his gaze and nodded. “I... I’ve been thinking about it a lot. If I’d actually gone and... I just don’t know if that’s something I could forgive myself for.”

Ace shrugged. “You were drunk, you weren’t thinking straight.”

2D shook his head, “No, even when I’m drunk I shouldn’t be doing stuff like that. It’s messed up. It’s just... it was different, getting drunk with Murdoc. He didn’t care if we weren’t ‘thinking straight’. And after a while, that just became ‘drunk 2D’... and it scares me a little, quite honestly.”

“Hey, look at me.”

2D met his gaze reluctantly.

Ace reached out a hand. “If you ever need help with alcohol, or anything, I can be that for you. You know I don’t drink, and I can get you on the path to sobriety. If that’s what you want.”

2D tentatively stuck out his hand, but pulled it back slightly. “I mean, it’s not that I don’t want to drink, it’s just that I need to change what ‘being drunk’ means for me. Not as a coping mechanism, or a way to forget, just to let loose a little.”

Ace shrugged. “I think that’s something to work on with Polly, then. But I can keep my eye out and poke you when I think you’re drinking too much, if you want.” He reoffered his hand.

This time, 2D did shake. “Thank you, Ace,” he said quietly. “I don’t know how you do all of this.”

“All of what?”

“No drinking or drugs, no cursing, no romance or sex. How much restraint do you have?”

Ace shrugged. “I just never felt the need. I don’t think I’m drawn that way,” he joked.

That made 2D laugh, and that made Ace laugh, and the two of them giggled quietly on the roof.

Then, a droplet of water splashed down onto Ace’s hair, followed by another and another.

“Aw bullocks, it’s raining,” 2D said, breaking the handshake and standing.

“Isn’t that normal here?” Ace said, shielding his head with his arms.

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I gotta like it!” 2D said, and he headed inside. Ace could hear him saying, “You know the Beatles’ song ‘Here Comes the Sun’? It literally feels like years from storm to sunshine,” but his voice got quieter the further inside he went.

But Ace lingered on the roof for a minute. He lowered his arms and let the rain just pour down on him. After a minute, he even took his sunglasses off, and let the rain stream unimpeded down his face.

“A real new leaf,” he finally murmured to himself, blinking water out of his eyes as he took in the world, unhindered.

The rain washed away any doubts he had left. This truly would be a new start.

He wouldn’t let it be anything else. It was his story, after all.

Notes:

Leave a comment if you liked the chapter, and the series! It encourages me to post future works. You can also follow me on Tumblr, @volatilesoloist-ao3, where I'll post said future stuff as I write it. No plans for anything new yet (definitely not a sequel), but we'll see what happens!

What a journey! Thanks for sticking it out with me :) This fic is officially in the top 3 longest things I've ever written, so it was super rewarding to finish it. I'm so appreciative of all of you, whether you only found out about this fic once I started posting again, or if you've been here since before the hiatus! Let me know in the comments!